Municipality of North Cowichan
Committee of the Whole
AGENDA

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 5:00 P.m. - 6:00 P.m.

Municipal Hall - Council Chambers & Electronically

This meeting will be conducted by video conference using the Cisco Webex platform. This meeting, though electronic, is open to the public and will be streamed live and archived for viewing on demand at www.northcowichan.ca.

Members of the public may attend the Municipal Hall [7030 Trans-Canada Highway] in person, or join the meeting electronically to participate during the 'Public Input' and 'Question Period' portions of the agenda. Please visit northcowichan.ca/virtualmeeting for instructions on how you can connect online or you may dial 1.844.426.4405, enter 1# for English, enter the meeting ID 2773 782 2823, and then enter the meeting password 1111.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

As soon as there is a quorum present after the time specified for the Council meeting, the Mayor shall call the meeting to order. If there is no quorum of Council present within 15 minutes of the scheduled time for the meeting, the Corporate Officer records the names of the members present and those absent, and adjourns the meeting until the next scheduled meeting.

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Purpose: To consider any items of business not included in the Agenda that are of an urgent nature they must be introduced and approved at the time the agenda is adopted. Matters must be taken up in the order that they are listed unless changed at this time.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the agenda be adopted as circulated [or as amended].

3.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

Purpose: To consider if there were any errors or omissions prior to adopting the minutes of previous meetings of Council.

3.1

Minutes from the November 12, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting for adoption

• Recommendation:

  THAT the minutes of the meeting held November 12, 2025 be adopted, as circulated.

4.

PUBLIC INPUT ON AGENDA ITEMS

Public Input is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on matters included on the agenda. The maximum number of speakers to be heard during the public input period is limited to five (5), and each speaker is allotted up to a maximum of three (3) minutes to provide their input. Members of the public must register at least 10 minutes and not more than 30 minutes before the meeting using the webform available on North Cowichan’s website. Please visit Addressing Council to access the webform and for instructions on how to participate. Speakers are asked to state their name and residential address when commencing their address to Council, as per Council’s Public Input and Meeting Conduct Policy.

5.

PRESENTATIONS AND DELEGATIONS

5.1

Presenters

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, a presenter [person or organization] is invited to appear before Council and is not subject to the 10-minute speaking limit.

5.1.1

2025 Audit Planning Report

Purpose: Daniel Healey and Cameron Rice-Gural from KPMG to present the planned scope and timing for the audit of the consolidated financial statements.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Committee recommend that Council approve the Audit Plan presented by KPMG for the consolidated financial statements of the District of North Cowichan and the Joint Utilities Board for the year ended December 31, 2025.

5.2

Delegations

In accordance with Council’s Delegations and Presenters Policy, delegations must submit their request at least seven (7) business days before the meeting they wish to appear before Council to make a presentation, request for action, provide an update on projects, or discuss issues not currently under consideration through an active input process.  Items must be of municipal interest or concern, and delegations are limited to 10 minutes to address Council.

5.2.1

Annual North Cowichan Service Agreement report from Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society

Purpose: Paul Gowland, President and Paul Fletcher, Executive Director, Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society to present an overview of the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society’s service agreement with North Cowichan for 2025.

6.

STAFF REPORTS

This section includes reports from staff requiring a decision of Council and/or staff presentations.

6.1

Comparative Tax Analysis

Purpose: To receive an analysis of the 2025 residential property tax burden in North Cowichan to inform Council’s understanding of its relative tax position and guide future policy and financial planning.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the report dated January 13, 2026, from the Director, Financial Services for information.

6.2

2026 Budget Progress Report

Purpose: To present Council with a summary of the current status of the 2026 budget following extensive discussions and newly identified factors.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council:

  1. Directs staff to proceed with the 2026 budget presentation at the February Committee of the Whole, with a tax revenue increase needed of 10.62%.
  2. Approve an additional transfer of 2% of taxation in 2026 to a Tax Stabilization Reserve.
  3. Rescind Part 2 of the resolution passed on August 12, 2025, regarding the 2026 Budget Update and Timeline, which states:

     “THAT upon completion of the report and pending further direction from Council, that Council direct staff to organize town hall meetings in Chemainus, Crofton, and the South End to gather public input and ensure community perspectives are meaningfully considered in the development of the 2026 budget.”

  4. Direct staff to continue with the public engagement activities in support of the 2026 budget and include a public input opportunity to receive feedback on the budget in Council Chambers on February 18, 2026, at 7pm.

7.

QUESTION PERIOD

Members of the public shall be provided an opportunity to ask questions of Council regarding matters discussed at the meeting and shall be allotted up to 30 seconds each to ask their question. Question Period is limited to 15 minutes.

8.

ADJOURNMENT

Once all the business is done and over with, the Mayor may declare the meeting adjourned without requiring a resolution of Council.