The City of Duncan has approved a bylaw setting the city’s tax rates for 2026.
The municipal tax levy will increase by 9.79 per cent this year. New construction will account for 1 per cent of the increase, leaving residents with an 8.79 per cent rise in property taxes.
The city says the increase means the average single-detached home, valued at $612,000, will pay an additional $231 in property taxes in 2026.
Part of this year’s budget includes a 4.93 per cent increase in policing costs for the city.
“Based on the number of calls for service in this area, the provincial government required the City to fund eight officers in 2022, increasing by one officer each year until reaching 12 officers in 2026,” said a statement from the city. “The City must also contribute proportionally to the operating costs of the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment building, administration and equipment.”
It also includes a more than 5 per cent increase in operating costs to maintain current service levels.
“Inflation requires an increase in taxes, just to keep paying for general maintenance budgets,” the city said.
