ANNUAL REPORT Year Ended December 31, 2024 (Draft)

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR .......................................................................................... 3 COMMUNITY PROFILE ..................................................................................................... 4 SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS........................................................................ 7 MAYOR & COUNCIL ....................................................................................................... 9 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART .......................................................................................... 11 VISION ............................................................................................................................ 12 MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE ............................................... 13 2024 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS .................................................................................... 14 ADMINISTRATION .................................................................................................... 15 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES ........................................................................................ 17 ENGINEERING & PARKS .......................................................................................... 21 FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY .......................................................... 25 PROTECTIVE SERVICES ............................................................................................. 27 2024 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES .................................................................... 29 LOOKING AHEAD .......................................................................................................... 41 FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................................................................ 50

INTRODUCTION

This year’s Annual Report outlines the Town’s achievements and major projects for 2024. It shows the progress on our 2024 municipal goals and objectives, highlights financial reporting, and gives insight into plans for the future.

Lund Road

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

• To be included in Final Report -

COMMUNITY PROFILE

The Town of View Royal is located on southern Vancouver Island, approximately six kilometers west of Victoria, British Columbia. On December 5, 1988 – with a population of less than 5,000 – the Town of View Royal was incorporated and became its own distinct municipality comprising approximately 2,500 hectares of land. The municipality encompasses McKenzie, Pike, Prior and Thetis Lakes and portions of Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet and is situated adjacent to the established jurisdictions of the City of Colwood, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Saanich and Songhees First Nation.

The Town of View Royal acknowledges with respect that it is within the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and that their historic connections to these lands continue to this day.

STATISTICS

Aerial view of Island Highway

• 12,619 POPULATION*
• 14.33KM² LAND AREA
• 5,456 HOUSEHOLDS*
• 72 MUNICIPAL PARKS & 2 REGIONAL PARKS
• 30.5KM BIKE LANES
• 27.3KM TRAILS

*as per 2024 BC Stats Estimate

PRECINCTS

View Royal is divided into eight distinct precincts based on such factors as topography, major transportation corridors, natural environment and the age of housing stock.

POPULATION GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

The Town has experienced significant growth and development while still maintaining much of its small town character. The Town has 230ha of remaining residential-zoned land within the Urban Containment Boundary available for development.

Census Data

• 1991: 5,925
• 1996: 6,441
• 2001: 7,271
• 2006: 8,768
• 2011: 9,381
• 2016: 10,408
• 2021: 11,575
• 2024: 12,619*

*as per 2024 BC Stats Estimate

Family walking in View Royal Park

SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL SERVICES

The Town of View Royal is responsible for the provision of a wide variety of local services and programs. These include:

• Transportation network (e.g. roads, bridges, street cleaning, sidewalks)*
• Stormwater management
• Garbage/household food waste collection
• Sanitary sewer collection system
• Parks, recreation and cultural facilities
• West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Fire protection and inspection
• Emergency preparedness planning
• Land use planning
• Building permits
• Business licensing
• Bylaw establishment and enforcement
• Economic development
• Heritage and revitalization
• First responder/rescue

*excludes Admirals Road, Six Mile Road and the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) which are controlled by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT

• Animal control
• Wastewater treatment
• Water supply
• Recycling & Blue Box Program

Garbage & Household Food Waste Collection

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

• School system (Provincial Government and Local School Boards)
• Social and health programs (Provincial Government)
• Hospital care system (Provincial Government)
• Real property assessments (B.C. Assessment)
• Library collection and distribution system (Greater Victoria Public Library; the Town is a part owner of the Downtown Branch)
• Planning and the management of public transit (Victoria Regional Transit System)

Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre

Victoria General Hospital

MAYOR & COUNCIL

The Town of View Royal is governed by an elected mayor and six councillors for a four-year term (2022-2026). Each member of Council is also appointed to serve on various Town and Regional committees. Council meets regularly and the public is welcome to attend any open meeting or provide feedback in writing via mail or email. Learn more at viewroyal.ca/mayor-council.html.

Mayor Sid Tobias

* Committee of the Whole - Finance & Administration Portfolio * CRD Board * CRD Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee * CRD Environmental Services Committee * CRD Regional Housing Trust Fund Commission * CRD Regional Parks Committee * Capital Regional Hospital District Board * Capital Region Housing Corporation Board * Police Building Liaison Committee * West Shore Parks and Recreation Owners * South Island Reconciliation Advisory Committee * Westshore Chamber of Commerce * Westshore Community Policing Advisory Committee

Councillor Don Brown

* Committee of the Whole - Protective Services & Youth Portfolio * Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications Inc. (CREST) * Municipal Insurance Association * South Island Prosperity Association * Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee

Councillor Damian Kowalewich

* Committee of the Whole - Engagement Portfolio * Joint School District / Municipal Committee

Councillor Gery Lemon

* Committee of the Whole - Arts & Library Portfolio * CRD Arts Commission * Greater Victoria Public Library * Westshore Arts & Culture Centre Intermunicipal Advisory Ad Hoc Committee

Councillor Alison MacKenzie

* Committee of the Whole - Environment, Parks & Recreation Portfolio * CRD Climate Action Inter-municipal Task Force * Parents’ Advisory Committee * Westshore Parks & Recreation Board

Councillor Ron Mattson

* Committee of the Whole - Planning & Development Portfolio * Colquitz/Gorge Watershed Special Management Area Initiative * Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee

Councillor John Rogers

* Committee of the Whole - Public Works & Transportation Portfolio * CRD Regional Water Supply Commission * Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission

Town of View Royal Organizational Chart

VISION

View Royal is a dynamic and inclusive community that manages growth, while retaining the charm of its traditional neighbourhoods. It is home and workplace to people from all walks of life. Its neighbourhoods are attractive, affordable, walkable and safe. Each neighbourhood has an identifiable character and is connected to nearby centres – and a recognizable central community gathering place – through greenspace corridors and pedestrian/cyclist-friendly streets. Some centres are parks for families to gather and youth to play sports. Other centres are bustling, mixed-use places with a range of services, amenities, businesses and housing.

View Royal recognizes the impacts of climate change, and is responding by actively promoting energy-efficient, sustainable development, and environmental protection. Well-designed compact housing ensures choice, affordability and better use of land. Infill and redevelopment near neighbourhood centres and transit corridors provides jobs and services closer to where people live – minimizing the need for commuting, and creating pedestrian-friendly streets and destinations.

The local economy is diversified and strong, providing employment, shopping and service options to local and regional residents. Heritage tourism and eco-tourism are promoted as sustainable ways to stimulate the economy and showcase View Royal’s environmental and cultural assets.

Viable alternatives to vehicle travel will be put in place to get around Town safely by foot, bike, bus, etc. Train, light rail and other forms of future rapid transit are supported by development that facilitates ridership and walkability.

The Town is endowed with unique natural environments – Thetis Lake Park, Millstream Creek, Craigflower Creek, Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet. The integrity and beauty of these natural amenities are protected and enhanced, while public access to recreation and natural areas is improved. The Town’s vast recreation assets are well promoted and integrated into the community. Environmental stewardship and better use of resources are pursued, such as alternative energy generation and enhanced waste management.

Livable View Royal – simply the best place to call home!

MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

MISSION

View Royal is committed to building a resilient, safe, healthy, and vibrant community that provides services and good governance while maintaining Town assets and fostering economic, environmental, and social wellbeing.

VALUES

The Town of View Royal pursues good community through a corporate culture that is:

• Accountable
• Respectful
• Ethical
• Open and transparent
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Proactive
• Inclusive
• Efficient
• Effective

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Town of View Royal is committed to providing the best possible local government for our residents and business community. This commitment drives constant improvement, with particular emphasis on:

• providing strong, strategic policy-based governance;
• demonstrating collaborative leadership and effective shared decision-making within the community, with our regional partners, including First Nations;
• nurturing productive working relationships at the legislative and executive level;
• pursuing excellence founded on core values, approved plans, policies and our commitment to innovation;
• decision-making processes to be transparent and responsive;
• integrating strategic planning, business planning, budgeting and performance management systems;
• embracing evidence-based best practices for professionalism;
• enhancing customer service and related communications capacity; and
• positioning sustainability as the foundation of our municipal culture.

2024 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

Town Hall front entrance