Proposed average increase for EA B homes is $8 for 2026

Hope Lompe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Gabriola Sounder

Fourteen new staffing positions totalling $1,937,086 are recommended by Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) staff to the board for the 2026-2030 financial plan for positions in utilities, parks and recreation and transportation.

On Nov. 4, senior managers from the RDN made their case to the board for nearly $2 million in added staff costs, of which $1,186,690 would come from taxation.

These include eight full-time jobs in wastewater and solid waste management, including an electrician and lab technician that will displace temporary and contract workers.

“We’ve been relying on contractors for a long time. Not only is that not cost effective, but we don’t have any organizational knowledge that we’re gaining while we go along with that,” said Murray Walters, General Manager Regional & Community Utilities at the Nov. 4 board meeting.

“We’re confident that we’re even with the addition of these last few positions …we’re still on the lower end of similar facilities that we benchmark with across the country. The key to us is that we actually will have enough skilled labor to do our own maintenance and do our own asset management on our own equipment.”

Recreation and Parks is seeking a full-time Active Transportation planner, which would oversee active transportation projects like the proposed Village Way Path expansion to the Gabriola ferry terminal. Other electoral areas, like area G and F, are looking to opt-out of paying into this, as their directors say they do not have any projects that fall under this category in the works for the next financial plan.

For Gabriola Island and Electoral Area B, the draft financial plan would see approximately $8 per household in tax increases, the lowest in the region compared to other areas.

There is a 3.3 per cent increase in funds for Gabriola Island Recreation, 7.2 per cent increase for the Gabriola Island Health and Wellbeing Contribution, a 1.3 per cent increase for the Gabriola Transit contribution, and 31.4 per cent increase for the Gabriola Taxi Saver. Additionally, an 11.9 per cent increase will also come in for community parks in Area B.

Among the organizations on Gabriola who will receive funding in the next financial plan are the Gabriola Arts Council, Gabriola Environmental Responsible Trans-Island Express (GERTIE Community Bus), Gabriola Historical and Museum Society, Gabriola Island Chamber of Commerce, Gabriola Land and Trails Trust, Gabriola Recreation Society, and People for a Healthy Community.