Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on January 14, 2026. Read the full agenda and attachments for more details.
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2026–2030 Financial Plan: Taxation Scenarios
Council reviewed information on potential property tax change scenarios for the City’s 2026–2030 Financial Plan. This report followed Council’s November 2025 Committee of the Whole meetings and compared different tax change options for 2026, as well as how existing surplus funds could be used to help smooth tax increases over the five-year period. Staff also outlined key assumptions used in the modelling, including expected new taxation revenue and how different surplus targets affect the City’s financial flexibility.
The report showed that while total tax revenue required by 2030 is similar across all scenarios, the most significant differences occur in the first one to three years. Council also received additional information on long-term debt coming to an end and a breakdown of the City’s main revenue sources.
Actions:
Council directed staff to prepare the 2026–2030 Financial Plan using a surplus balance target of 15% of the 2025 General Fund budgeted spending, including tax-funded capital and excluding expenditures with specific reserves. Council also directed staff to prepare the Financial Plan using a 6.0% tax change scenario for 2026, with additional available surplus applied through 2027–2030.
Your Courtenay, Your Voice – 2025 Resident Survey Results
Council received the results of the City’s 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey, Your Courtenay, Your Voice, which gathers feedback from residents on quality of life, City services, and community priorities. This marked the third year of the survey and completes a five-year benchmark dataset used to track trends over time and support evidence-based decision-making.
The 2025 survey included methodological improvements, such as updated municipal comparators that better reflect communities similar to Courtenay and improved age representation, particularly among younger residents. Overall, 81% of respondents rated quality of life in Courtenay as good or very good, with an increase in those rating it “very good.” Satisfaction with City services remained strong in areas such as fire and emergency response and parks and recreation, while traffic management continued to be a key concern. Residents identified homelessness, cost of living, housing availability, and safety as top issues. The results also highlighted opportunities to strengthen communication, engagement in planning and development, and clarity around how public input is used in decision-making.
CVRD Water South Extension Project – Project Approval
Council reviewed the CVRD Water South Extension Project, a regional initiative led by the Comox Valley Regional District in partnership with K’ómoks First Nation and the Royston Water Local Service Area. The project will extend water transmission infrastructure south of Courtenay to support Treaty Settlement Lands, Royston, and future growth areas in South Courtenay, including areas such as The Ridge and Christie Parkway. The report outlined the project scope, governance, timeline, and the City’s role as a participating area through two CVRD bylaws that required Courtenay Council’s consent.
The City’s projected share of the project is estimated at approximately $4.42 million, with a recommended contingency bringing the estimate to about $4.8 million, up to a borrowing ceiling of $5.5 million. If financed through a sub-service agreement, staff estimate the residential utility bill impact at approximately $29–$33 per household per year, depending on final borrowing. Council consent was required to keep the project aligned with grant funding timelines, with substantial completion required by March 2028.
Actions:
Council consented to the adoption by the Comox Valley Regional District of Bylaw No. 897 (Water Extension South Connection Service Establishment) and Bylaw No. 898 (Water Extension South Connection Service Loan Authorization). Council also authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute the Water South Extension Project agreement with the CVRD and directed staff to take all necessary steps to implement the agreement and advance the project.
Support for the Elect Respect Pledge
Council considered a resolution to support the Elect Respect pledge, a national campaign that promotes respectful, safe, and constructive behaviour in democratic spaces. The resolution responds to growing concerns about harassment, threats, and toxic public discourse faced by elected officials, particularly women and candidates from diverse backgrounds, and the impact this has on people’s willingness to run for office.
By supporting the pledge, Council affirmed its commitment to respectful debate focused on ideas and policies rather than personal attacks, calling out harassment and abuse, and helping foster a political culture where people of all backgrounds feel safe to participate. Council also encouraged elected officials, organizations, and community members to sign the pledge and support efforts to strengthen respectful democratic engagement.
Actions:
Council supported the Elect Respect pledge and committed to the principles outlined in the resolution. Council also directed that a copy of the resolution be shared with the Comox Valley Regional District, Village of Cumberland, Town of Comox, K’ómoks First Nation, the Union of BC Municipalities, the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, relevant MPs and MLAs, the local RCMP detachment, and the founder of the campaign, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.