The Colwood City Council is working to reduce the planned 2026 property tax increase to 4.25 per cent for residents in Colwood, British Columbia. The city initially looked at a 7.54 per cent increase but is now trying to lower that amount while still paying for important community services. This effort follows a history of keeping average yearly tax increases under five per cent since 2020.
The push for a lower rate comes as the city deals with higher costs for police and fire services, as well as rising costs for worker contracts. To reach the new target, council members have asked staff to find ways to save money by waiting to fill new or vacant job positions and creating a special fund to manage debt. They also plan to trim spending for services that are not considered essential.
Mayor Doug Kobayashi said that while it is important to lower the tax burden for homeowners, the city also needs to keep its finances healthy for the long term. The goal is to provide immediate relief without causing much larger tax hikes in the future. Council members will meet again on March 30, 2026, to go over the final details of the 2026 budget.
