FAQs
What is the City's budget?
Each year, the City of Victoria establishes funding priorities through its annual budget, which identifies the expected revenues and planned expenses required to deliver the over 200 programs and services our community relies on.
Through a series of budget discussions (deliberations), City Council sets service levels and allocates funding for all City services, programs, projects and initiatives.
Council budget decisions are informed by strategic and master plans, Council priorities, financial forecasts, legislative requirements and community input.
Where does the City get its revenue from?
Similar to most Canadian municipalities, property taxes are the largest source of revenue for the City of Victoria (54 per cent in 2025).
Additional revenue comes from water, sewer, solid waste and stormwater utility fees, as well as parking, the Victoria Conference Centre, development services and property leases.
What does the City's operating budget include?
The City's operating budget includes daily or regular expenses to keep things running smoothly. This includes garbage collection, clean water and the maintenance of facilities and community centres, to name a few.
What does the City's capital budget include?
The City's capital budget includes one-time purchases or upgrades to invest in the future. This include things like road improvements, park upgrades or new equipment to maintain roads or respond to emergencies.
What are the City's reserves?
The City’s reserve funds are set up to save money for future investment with the intent of smoothing out the impact on taxpayers, especially in years where larger than typical investments are needed. The City’s Reserve Fund Bylaw(External link) outlines the purposes and uses for each reserve.