The Town of View Royal, British Columbia, is proposing an 8.69 per cent increase in property taxes for 2026 to cover the rising costs of police, fire services, and community maintenance.
Residents are being asked to provide their input through an online survey before March 31, 2026, to help the council make final spending decisions. There will also be a public meeting regarding the budget held on April 8, 2026.
According to the Town of View Royal, a large portion of the tax hike is for services the town must provide by law. This includes a 1.89 per cent increase for RCMP police services and an 0.85 per cent increase for 911 emergency dispatch services.
Councillor Gery Lemon pointed out that taxes have increased by 8 to 9 per cent every year for the past five years, meaning some residents are paying nearly 50 per cent more than when they first arrived. Chief Financial Officer Steven Vella expects taxes will likely continue to go up by 5 per cent every year for the next four years.
The town council must finalize and adopt the official spending plan by May 15, 2026.
