Tax increases are in the pipeline for citizens in Comox Valley as government plans to replace water infrastructure.
Households in Royston, Union Bay, Black Creek, Oyster Bay and in the Comox Valley Water Local Service Area may soon be affected by rising cost of water, and tax hikes. The cost increases – each year for the next 10 years – are designed to pay for upgrades to an aging Comox Valley water system.
Elected officials gave first, second and third readings to bylaws to establish cost hikes in several areas at the Nov. 7 board meeting at the Comox Valley Regional District. Fourth reading is scheduled for the CVRD Board meeting on Dec. 12, with final approval for the bylaws in all different communities expected before the end of spring 2024.
The bylaws come as a significant portion of infrastructure in the Valley’s water system is reaching its end of life and will require replacement, according to the Comox Valley Regional District. Funding is needed through taxation, spread over time.
In order to estimate how the taxes will affect households, staff at CVRD ran calculations based on average household water consumption in each respective area, affected by the proposed annual increases to the cost of water and to associated property taxes.
Royston
The bylaw regarding water service property tax in Royston is slated to be changed. The tax would increase every year for 10 years. Starting at $200, the annual tax reaches $809 by the year 2033.
According to a report presented at the Electoral Area Services Committee, the average all-in cost for a Royston household to use water and pay the water service tax would increase from $805 annually to $1,250 annually by the year 2028.
Union Bay
The bylaw regarding water service property tax in Union Bay is also slated to be changed. The tax would increase every year for 10 years. Starting at $510, the annual tax reaches $1,175 by the year 2033.
According to a report presented at the Electoral Area Services Committee, the average all-in cost for a Union Bay household to use water and pay the water service tax would increase from $1,358 annually to $1,710 annually by the year 2028.
Oyster Bay and Black Creek
The bylaw regarding water service property tax in Oyster Bay and Black Creek would be rejigged from a calculation based on property size to a flat rate. Based on the proposed bylaw, in 2024, each property would pay an annual $197, and the cost would rise nearly tenfold to $1,696 annually by the year 2033.
According to a report presented at the Black Creek Oyster Bay Services Committee, the average all-in cost for an Oyster Bay or Black Creek household to use water and pay the water service tax would increase from $545 annually to $990 annually by the year 2028.
Comox Valley Water Local Service Area
The bylaw regarding water service property tax in the CVWLSA is slated to be changed. The tax would increase every year for 10 years. Starting at $99, the annual tax reaches $746 by the year 2033.
According to a report presented at the Electoral Area Services Committee, the average all-in cost to a house in the CVWLSA to use water and pay the water service tax would increase from $545 annually to $838 annually by the year 2028.