DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE
Report providing highlights and operational statistics for June 2026 across various municipal departments including Finance, IT, and Public Works.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: June 29, 2026 FROM: S. Sommerville, CAO MEETING DATE: July 14, 2026
DEPARTMENTAL UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated June 29, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Departmental Update” be received for information.
PURPOSE:
To provide Council with information from each department regarding material events and happenings at Town Hall.
BACKGROUND:
A report for the Committee of the Whole meeting to apprise Council of the highlights of significant activities of the Town.
INFORMATION
Office of the CAO:
The CAO is pleased to report that his interim role on the Integrated Project Delivery team for the RCMP expansion project has been filled. Work continues on creating Development Cost Charge bylaw for the CRD to distribute the costs of the expanded detachment between current taxpayers and future development. The CAO has been working with potential health care providers on providing clinic access to View Royal residents.
On the HR side, a review of benefits providers is underway to seek best value for money. The Executive Assistant has been involved in interviews supporting Directors in filling vacancies.
Corporate Administration:
While there was some activity after the property tax notices were mailed out in late May, traffic at the front counter increased significantly throughout June, particularly during the final days of the month. Administration and Finance staff spent long days greeting and assisting property owners who came in to pay their property taxes.
The 2026 Community Satisfaction Survey was launched, encouraging residents to share feedback on Town services, quality of life, and future priorities. This survey will remain open until July 31, 2026, with a report on findings to be presented to Council in September.
Planning continued for the annual Canada Day celebration at Craigflower Manor. Community volunteers, Corporate Administration and Parks staff, together with co-host the Victoria Highland Games Society, worked collaboratively to organize this successful event, which is enjoyed by the community each year.
Staff have begun planning for the Town’s 2026 Volunteer Appreciation Event, scheduled for September 13, 2026. This event recognizes and celebrates the many volunteers who generously contribute their time and talents to the community.
The Annual Report, highlighting the Town’s achievements for the year ended December 31, 2025, was adopted by Council on June 16, 2026, and is now available on the Town’s website.
Staff are currently undertaking a comprehensive policy review, beginning with Administration and Council policies. As the review progresses, updated policies will be brought before Council for reclassification, amendment, rescission, and further review, as appropriate.
Elections staff continue preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections. Significant work is involved in organizing the election, including booking and staffing polling places, preparing nomination packages, coordinating advertising, and meeting legislated timelines.
After many years of dedication to the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) Program, the Corporate Officer has earned the Certified Municipal Clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. This achievement reflects a strong commitment to professional development and to upholding the highest standards of municipal governance and civic leadership.
A display titled “Waterways and Sunny Days” is now on display in the Town Hall foyer. View Royal’s waterways, parks, trails, and beaches have long served as places where residents and visitors gather to enjoy the outdoors. This display features an assortment of photographs spanning the 1910s to the 1960s, highlighting the community’s rich history and natural beauty.
The RIM365 Project has reached the two-thirds completion milestone. The solution design is in its final review stage, and the View Royal project team will soon approve the plans. Development of the first phase of SharePoint sites is underway, with theming and general layout currently being tested. Subsequent phases are being scheduled as the environment is built and ready for demonstration to Town departments.
Corporate Administration continues to support Council, staff, and the public by delivering a broad range of legislative and administrative services. A summary of key departmental activity from January to June 2026 is provided below:
| Departmental Activity | January – June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Agendas prepared | 28 |
| Minutes produced | 28 |
| Bylaws processed | 14 |
| Policies updated/created | 3 |
| Staff Reports prepared/reviewed | 23 |
| FOI requests processed | 29 |
| Website News/Updates posted | 78 |
| Social Media Posts: | |
| 225 | |
| 213 | |
| - Bluesky | 170 |
| Records disposition | 27 boxes |
| Front Counter Transactions: | |
| - Dog tags | 51 |
| - Business Licences | 155 |
| - Property Taxes | 1,139 |
| - Garbage decals | 189 |
| - Recycle bins/bags | 89 |
| - Permits | 205 |
| - Other payments (MTI, A/R, & FOI) | 121 |
| - HandyDart passes/tickets sold | 20 |
Finance:
With property taxes due July 2, Finance staff worked to ensure timely and accurate processing of all payments and homeowner grants as well as tax deferment applications. The centralization of the Provincial government’s Home Owner Grant (HOG) and Property Tax Deferment programs continued in 2026. Provincial changes to interest rates on deferments resulted in some taxpayers choosing to not use the deferment option. Staff undertook an active communication campaign to remind taxpayers that HOGs and deferments must be submitted directly to the Province and, while staff fielded some inquiries, taxpayers were generally understanding, and the process was smooth overall.
Information Technology:
In June, Information Technology began procurement for the annual computer refresh program and completed the review and evaluation of proposals for the managed IT services contract. The department continued to support the RIM SharePoint project and carried out staff onboarding and offboarding activities.
Development Services:
The Development Services team continued to be busy for the month of June responding to a consistent number of zoning, land use, building, and business licence inquiries, and reviewing and processing development applications. In June, the department received eleven new applications, which are summarized in the following table:
| Application Type | Number of Applications |
|---|---|
| Rezoning | 0 |
| Development Permit | 0 |
| Development Variance Permit | 1 |
| Temporary Use Permit | 0 |
| Subdivision | 0 |
| Sign Permit | 0 |
| Board of Variance | 1 |
| Building Permit | 5 |
| Plumbing Permit | 4 |
Staff worked diligently on revising the final draft of the Official Community Plan (OCP) following Council motions that were passed at the June 16, 2026 Council meeting. The draft OCP was also reviewed by the Town’s legal counsel to ensure that it met the requirements of the Local Government Act.
The monthly Building and Housing Reports are attached to this report.
Engineering:
After over twenty years of service to the Town of View Royal, the Town’s Parks Supervisor, Dave Podmoroff, is retiring. Dave has made significant contributions to the Town over the years, not only in keeping a high level of service in Parks maintenance over an expanding parks inventory, but also in overseeing building maintenance, fleet maintenance, and enhancing recreational spaces. The Town thanks Dave for his years of service and contributions, which are much loved and appreciated by the community and staff.
Sewer & Drain
Emergency repairs of the Atkins Road sanitary pumpstation have been completed, and the pumpstation is now fully operational. A failure of a key mechanical component required the pumpstation to operate on one of two pumps since late April, and the fix was completed in June after equipment, labour, and requisite approvals were obtained.
The Glenairlie pumpstation upgrade project is almost complete. The neighbourhood will see greatly improved operational resiliencies with the installation of a second pump and necessary upgrades to its electrical system, both upgrades which are considered best practice.
The Herbate Road Culvert Replacement project was deferred last year due to fisheries timing window restrictions. Victoria Contracting has now commenced removal and replacement of the existing culvert. The new culvert is being installed with approximately 30% gravel backfill within the culvert to provide a natural streambed substrate to improve fish passage and spawning habitat within the fish bearing stream and its tributaries, of which this is a part of.
Streets & Roads
The Atkins Road Sidewalk upgrade Project is nearing completion with the street lighting to be installed at the new crosswalk shortly. The retaining wall at the View Royal/Langford border is complete and the wall will reduce maintenance costs, protect mature trees that would have otherwise needed to be removed, and provide an aesthetically pleasing feature when entering or leaving the municipality.
Additionally, the Bus Stop Improvement project piggy backed on the Atkins Road project to install improved bus pads at two existing stops within the construction area. Staff have already sent a request to BC Transit for bus shelters to be installed at these bus stops.
Annual pavement crack sealing work was completed on portions of Helmcken Road and Watkiss Way. This proactive maintenance will help prolong the useful life of the Town’s pavement assets.
Per the Pride and Veterans Memorial banner project, Pride themed rainbow banners were installed on ornamental streetlight posts on Helmcken Road within the View Royal Elementary school zone. It was important to install this in time for the celebration of the Pride Season.
Development Servicing
3 Helmcken Road (Aspire): Construction is ongoing. Off-site road work on Burnside Road W. continues.
Parks
The Greater Victoria Green Team (GVGT) hosted thirty community members at Knockan Hill Park for the removal of invasive Periwinkle and blackberry on June 27, 2026. Nine cubic meters of invasive Himalayan blackberry and Periwinkle were removed and 106 square meters of habitat revitalized.
As part of the View Royal Park improvements, additional park benches and a picnic table are being installed throughout the off-leash dog loop and the playground area.
Protective Services:
View Royal Fire Rescue has successfully completed the onboarding and initial training program for six new Paid On-Call firefighters. The recruits have now been assigned to platoons and began responding to scheduled shifts throughout July, increasing the department's operational staffing capacity.
The department also participated in the Canada Day celebrations at Craigflower Manor where members provided apparatus tours and engaged with residents throughout the day. The event was well attended and provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen community relationships while promoting fire safety and public awareness.
With the arrival of the summer season, training efforts continue to focus on wildfire preparedness and response. Crews have also been conducting marine rescue training to maintain operational readiness and proficiency in water-based emergency response.
During the month of July, the Bylaw Department has continued to experience a high volume of files related to parking enforcement, camping, and recreational vehicles parked overnight on municipal roads. These matters remain a significant focus, with investigations and enforcement action being undertaken where appropriate.
The department has also seen an increase in unpermitted signs being placed on municipal boulevards. Staff continue to proactively remove unauthorized signage to maintain compliance with municipal bylaws and preserve the appearance and safety of public spaces.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated June 29, 2026 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “Departmental Update” be received for information.
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