Financial Plan 2026-2030
2026-2030 Financial Plan Development
Welcome to the ACRD's 2026-2030 Financial Plan Engagement Hub! It is very important for all of us at the ACRD to hear from the residents we serve. This engagement platform has been set up to enable the public to learn about the ACRD’s financial planning process and ask questions. We will be providing updated documents as they become available to help you understand how your tax dollars are spent at the ACRD.
How you can be involved and find out more:
Stay informed: Subscribe to receive updates directly to your inbox as new financial plan documents and budget details are released.
Ask a Question: Register and use the Q&A feature below. Our staff will respond, and questions and answers will be visible to help others learn too.
Understanding Regional District Budgets and Taxes
Each year the ACRD must adopt a five-year Financial Plan by March 31st. Regional Districts are different from other types of governments, such as municipalities, in that each service is independent and areas are only charged for the services they receive. Each service has its own set of expenses and funding sources and cannot run a deficit. This means that revenues in one service cannot be transferred to support a different service. It also means that taxpayers in different areas of the regional district will be taxed differently because taxes are calculated on the specific services they receive.
The annual financial planning process requires that all services be thoroughly reviewed by staff and the Board to ensure that public funding is allocated efficiently, effectively and with accountability. The ACRD financial plan includes approximately 60 services. Individual services budgets are developed using the following steps and existing documents:
Reviewing the operational costs of existing services including evaluating opportunities to deliver services more cost-effectively.
Implementation of the ACRD’s current Strategic Plan found here
Recommendations in the relevant Asset Management Plans found here
Proposed Initiative Cases (PIC’s) are developed for consideration by the Board when:
There is a proposed change in level of service or challenge in maintaining the existing level of service
The project is not required by legislation
New assets are not included in asset management plans
Feasibility study is needed for a potential new service
The kaleidoscope of services and related work plans must consider the overall capacity of the organization. The ACRD must also conduct public engagement related to the draft plan each year to ensure transparency and community input.
The Financial Planning process is long as we ensure that there are appropriate check-points along the way. This site will continue to be updated along the way, so please continue to check-back and send us your feedback. Ultimately, the Plan must be approved by March 31st.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the ACRD's Financial Plan. Please share your thoughts with us by emailing budget@acrd.bc.ca - we want to hear from you!
Budget Development Timeline
The budget process starts in September and must finish by March 31 each year, when regional districts are mandated by law to adopt a five-year financial plan. Throughout the budget process, information will be shared on this site as it becomes available. The phases include:
September to November | -Staff compile work plans and proposed budgets |
December to January | -PIC’s presented for consideration by the Board |
February to March | -Board and Committee discussions regarding draft budget -Presentations to community groups for public comment -Finalization of budget bylaw |
Our History
Regional districts were created by the provincial government in 1965 to deliver local (municipal-style) services to rural areas that fall outside of a municipal boundary and to achieve economies of scale for region-wide services. Each regional district is composed of municipalities and electoral areas (rural communities) and delivers a unique blend of regional, sub-regional and local services to its residents.
The ACRD was established in 1966 as a federation consisting of three Municipalities of Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet and six Electoral Areas of A-Bamfield, B-Beaufort, C-Long Beach, D-Sproat Lake, E-Beaver Creek and F-Cherry Creek. In the years following the signing of the Maa-nulth Treaty on April 1, 2011, the four Treaty Nations of Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government, Uchucklesaht Tribe Government and Toquaht Nation joined the ACRD board table as full voting members . The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is within the traditional territory of ten First Nations including the non-treaty First Nations of Ahousaht, Dididaht, Hesquiaht, Hupacasath, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Tseshaht.
Our Structure
The ACRD provides services in three distinct roles:
Serves as local government to the six (unincorporated) electoral areas, responsible for providing basic local services such as community planning, water supply and fire protection.
Serves as an inter-jurisdictional service body providing sub-regional services to different combinations of municipalities, electoral areas and First Nations.
Responsible for providing important regional services and undertaking key activities on behalf of the entire region.
The range of services provided by the ACRD is shown below. Click the image to see a larger version.
Final Call to Action
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the ACRD’s Financial Plan. Your feedback matters – please email us at budget@acrd.bc.ca or use the Q&A tool below. We’re listening!
Who's Listening
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Phone 2507202700 Email budget@acrd.bc.ca