Finance

Dollars & Sense

The Financial Services Department is responsible for short and long-term financial planning, tangible capital asset management, internal and external financial reporting, management of cash and investments, property tax, utilities, accounts payable and receivable, and all other general municipal accounting. The department acts as a leader in financial management for the organization.

Financial Services

Contact


Finance Department

250-725-3229
Email Finance

Utility Billing

Your utility bill is issued every three months and is usually mailed out two weeks following the billing period. The billing periods for the calendar year are listed below:

Garbage & Recycling Collection is provided through the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.

Water Utility Rates and Regulations Bylaw

Sewer Utility Rates and Regulations Bylaw

Utility Billing
Period 1January 1 – March 31
Period 2April 1 – June 30
Period 3July 1 – September 30
Period 4October 1 – December 31

Detecting Water Leaks

It is important to watch your water usage and make sure that water is not slipping away due to undetected leaks in your system. Leaks often occur when component parts are worn and need replacing or adjusting.

Name & Address Changes

It is important to keep your address current for property assessment and taxation purposes. The mailing address that appears on the tax and utility notice is updated through BC Assessment. Only registered owners may request a change of mailing address.

Change of Mailing Address Form

The request form will update the following:

  • BC Assessment Records
  • Property Tax Notices
  • Metered Water and Sewer Utility Notices

We will forward any requests received by our office to the BC Assessment Authority.

All name changes on your property are administered by:

BC Assessment Authority, Central Vancouver Island
Phone: 250-753-6621 / 1-800-977-2775
Fax: 250-754-1890
Email BC Assessment

Location & Mailing Address:
#300 - 125 Wallace Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5B2

The District of Tofino receives the updated information from the BC Assessment Authority in about 6 weeks.

Home Owner Grant

Home Owner Grant applications are submitted directly to the Province.

The Home Owner Grant is governed and managed by the Ministry of Finance to help reduce the residential property tax British Columbians pay. The grant amount is first applied to the school taxes levied on the principal residence and then to municipal taxes. The grant is available to Canadian citizens or landed immigrants who live in British Columbia, and they must occupy the home as their principal residence.

You must apply for the grant each year after you receive your property tax notice and before December 31. The grant is applied toward the current year's property tax.

Permissive Tax Exemptions

Section 220 of the Community Charter provides for statutory tax exemptions for a range of properties, including those held or used by the Province, municipalities, regional districts, libraries, hospitals, schools, cemeteries, and places for public worship.

Permissive Tax Exemption Policy

The Permissive Tax Exemption policy applies to applicants for properties used by a variety of not-for-profit organizations that provide services that Council considers are directly related to the organization's purposes. Exemptions under this section are at the sole discretion of Council.

HOME OWNER GRANT

If your home in Tofino is your primary residence, you're entitled to the Home Owner Grant. Get the discount you deserve as a resident of Tofino!

Annual Property Tax Sale

The Local Government Act requires the District to sell all properties whose taxes have not been paid for 3 years at Tax Sale. The Local Government Act gives the District's Collector authority to sell a property for the Upset Price, which equals all outstanding taxes + penalties + interest + 5% tax sale costs + Land Title Office fees. All property sales are "as is" without warrant or guarantee by the District of Tofino.

Advertising

The Local Government Act requires municipalities to advertise in a local paper not less than three (3), or more than ten (10) days, prior to the Tax Sale.

The legal description and civic (street) address must be published. To prevent having your property listed in this newspaper ad, your delinquent taxes must be paid approximately two (2) weeks prior to the Tax Sale date.

Tax Sale

Each year, a public auction will be held at 10 AM, on the last Monday in September in the Council Chambers located at 380 Campbell Street. Bidding is accepted on all properties. Prospective bidders are advised that it is their responsibility to search the title of the property in advance to determine if there are any charges registered against the property. The minimum bid is the amount of the Upset Price. If no bidding takes place within three (3) calls by the Collector (auctioneer), the District is declared the purchaser at the Upset Price.

Purchasing Property

Payment of the Upset Price (by cash or certified cheque) must be remitted immediately.

If the purchase price is above the Upset Price, the purchaser must pay the balance by 3 PM on the tax sale date.

If payment is not remitted, the Collector again offers the property for sale.

Notifying Charge Holders

The Collector is required by law to search all property titles and within ninety (90) days after the Tax Sale, notify all registered charge holders shown on each property.

Redemption

The original owner has one year after the property is sold at Tax Sale to pay the taxes and buy back their property. This is called redemption. All registered charge holders have full right to redeem the property. To redeem the property, the charge holder must remit the full Upset Price, plus interest on the purchase price at a rate set by the Province, within one year of the Tax Sale.

Rights During Redemption Period

Section 665 of the Local Government Act provides that when real property is sold at Tax Sale, all rights held by the owner at the time of the sale, immediately cease to exist, except for the right of redemption, the right to bring an action to set aside the Tax Sale, and the right to possession. The registered owner's right of possession is subject to the purchaser's right to bring action against the original property owner for waste (ie. damage or destruction to the premises) and the right of the purchaser to enter onto the property to maintain it in the proper condition and to prevent waste.

Damage, destruction, or loss of property during the redemption period is at the risk of the purchaser. The purchaser is advised to insure his interest in the property.

Property not Redeemed

If the property is not redeemed during the one (1) year period, the Collector registers the new owner at the Land Titles Office in Victoria, thus cancelling all previous registered charges, except for those matters set out in Section 276(1)(c) to (g) of the Land Title Act and any lien of the Crown, an Improvement District or a Local District.

The purchase of a tax sale property is subject to tax under the Property Transfer Tax Act.