Town Hall

Budget Process

The Town of Gibsons’ annual budget is one of our most important tools for planning and managing the services and infrastructure that support our community.

Each year, we undertake a careful and collaborative process to review the Town’s operating and capital budgets. This helps ensure the final budget reflects community needs and priorities, aligns with Council’s Strategic Plan, and meets all legislative requirements.

Legal Requirements

The budgeting process results in two key bylaws:

Both must be adopted by Council and submitted to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs by May 15 each year.

How the Budget is Developed

The Town’s budget process involves four key steps:

1. Strategic Planning & Priority Setting

  • Council identifies priorities based on its Strategic Plan and community feedback.
  • Staff prepare a draft budget that supports these priorities while maintaining essential services such as water, roads, parks, and emergency response.

2. Public Consultation

  • The draft budget is shared publicly for feedback.
  • Residents can participate in public meetings, complete online surveys, or submit written comments.

3. Review & Refinement

  • Council and staff review public input and revise the budget where possible.
  • Detailed discussions help balance community needs with financial sustainability.

4. Final Approval

  • Council adopts the final budget, typically in May, along with an updated Five-Year Financial Plan.

Budget Timeline

  • January – February: Council identifies priorities; staff draft the budget.
  • March: Public consultation begins.
  • April: Council reviews public input and refines the draft.
  • May: Final budget and Five-Year Financial Plan are approved.

The general operating budget outlines the day-to-day costs of running the Town of Gibsons. It covers essential services that residents rely on, such as garbage collection, road maintenance, parks, bylaw enforcement, fire protection, and planning services.

This budget is funded primarily through property taxes, as well as fees, permits, and grants. It ensures that Town services are delivered safely, efficiently, and consistently throughout the year.

The capital budget funds major projects and long-term investments in Gibsons’ infrastructure. This includes things like road upgrades, water and sewer systems, building improvements, equipment purchases, and new facilities.

Unlike the operating budget, which covers everyday services, the capital budget focuses on assets that will serve the community for many years. It’s typically funded through reserves, grants, borrowing, or developer contributions.