The City of Parksville rolled out its 2018 provisional draft budget plan Monday night, a document that hits up taxpayers for a four per cent rate increase for the coming year.

Parksville council approved the inclusion of several new budget items for 2018, including additional security for the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre, benches and bus shelters for transit passengers and a bump in the Canada Day grant to the Chamber of Commerce.

The budget meeting was the first of what will be a series of public deliberations on its 2018-22 provisional financial plan.

The five-year plan projects tax increases of four per cent in each of the five years, countered by a projected inflation rate of 2 per cent in 2018 and 2.5 per cent in each of the following four years, the city’s manager of finance, Pam Lovegrove, shared in a report on the plan.

In addition, council also came to an agreement with several pickleball supporters in the gallery to utilize $120,000 already budgeted for dedicated courts to be used for initial site and design studies for dedicated pickleball courts at Springwood Park.

Debbie Comis, the city’s chief administrative officer, told council that staff has estimated a 12-court facility at the park would cost approximately $300,000. The additional funding needed to have the courts ready for the 2019 season would require additional budgeted funds for 2019, fundraising by local pickleball clubs, or a combination of those sources.

The next public deliberation on the 2018-2022 provisional financial plan is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, beginning at 6 p.m. at council chambers. Parksville council invites city residents to attend and provide public input.

Should a third meeting be required, it will be held on November 21.

To take part in the discussion, residents may:

• Comment in person on November 16. Council will provide opportunities for questions, comments and suggestions from the public.

• Watch the meeting live online through the City’s webstreaming service. Video from the meeting is also archived and may be viewed at another time.

• Email comments and questions to info@parksville.ca by November 8.

• Post comments on Facebook http://facebook.com/cityparksville

• All comments provided will form part of the public record.

Monday’ presentation and the 2018-2022 draft financial plan are now available to view online at www.parksville.ca/cms.asp?wpID=467.

— With files from the City of Parksville

Parksville Qualicum Beach News