Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm Tel: 250-245-6400 Fax: 250-245-6411 Email: info@ladysmith.ca
Nestled on the eastern shores of spectacular Vancouver Island, the Town of Ladysmith features all the warmth and charm of small town living with a full range of services and amenities.
Ladysmith Parks, Recreation & Culture is bursting with recreational activities and fun-filled events for all ages! The Department is committed to enhancing the health & quality of life of the community through accessible programs, services, facilities and open spaces.
The Town is committed to sustainable vision for our community as we work to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We were the first BC community to introduce curbside pick-up for household organic waste and continue to advance projects that help to protect and conserve our environment.
The Town along with our partners is promoting a business-friendly culture in Ladysmith that supports economic development and job creation.
Discover the Parks, Recreation and Culture department's programs and classes in the latest Activity Guide. We offer a full range of recreation, education and art programs for all ages and abilities. Explore the Guide and register today.
The Town of Ladysmith's Strategic Plan is a progressive vision set by Council for improving the lives of residents in a thriving town, and provides clear direction and focus for Council and staff over the current term.
Ladysmith is a charming small town with a thriving economy, vibrant downtown and picturesque waterfront, whose welcoming neighbourhoods reflect the quality of our citizens.
Ladysmith, May 10, 2018 - This year, Ladysmith residents will experience a slight increase in property taxes as the Town continues to make significant, long-term investments that set a solid foundation for the future of the community. The Town's share of property taxes will increase by just over 2% based on the assessed value of each owner's property as determined by BC Assessment. 35% of all property taxes collected by the Town go directly to other agencies to pay for services like schools, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, the Cowichan Valley Regional District, and the Cowichan Regional Hospital fund. "Council has worked hard to ensure Ladysmith's municipal share of taxes saw only a modest increase. However, we have little control over the amount of tax dollars provided by Ladysmith taxpayers to the other agencies that serve our community," said Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone. "That said, we have approved a budget for 2018 that will maintain the Town's services, still enable us to invest in key infrastructure, and allow us to move forward on our Waterfront Area Plan." The municipal share of property tax paid for an average single family dwelling will rise slightly compared to last year. For example, a single family residential property with an assessed value of $373,500 in 2018, up approximately 16.6 per cent in market value over 2017, will pay approximately $33 more in 2018 in assessment-based municipal property taxes. Ladysmith's total municipal taxation for 2018 is $7.961 million. This helps to pay for the ongoing costs of maintaining parks, roads and other infrastructure, keeping our community safe, running the Frank Jameson Community Centre, supporting many local community organizations, and more. There are a number of additional projects underway or planned for our community in 2018 including: * Working to move the Waterfront Area Plan forward * Building the Town’s new water filtration plant * Carrying out upgrades to 4th Avenue * Completing the review of Development Cost Charges (DCCs) * Determining the best approach to increase our water storage capacity * Continuing to remove abandoned vessels from Ladysmith-area waters Grants help offset some of the Town’s capital costs and reduce the burden on our taxpayers and we will continue to apply for various opportunities. "In 2018, we have already received $1.8 million in grant funds to help upgrade the historic Machine Shop that will feature as a Heritage and Culture hub in our Waterfront Area Plan," said Chief Administrative Officer Guillermo Ferrero. "Further, construction costs of the new water filtration plant are offset by an $8.8 million grant we received in 2017." It is important to note that sewer and water parcel taxes make up 20% of taxes collected on an average single family home. Slide presentations from the budget deliberations and the budget and tax rates bylaws are available on the Town's website at www.ladysmith.ca and in hard copy from City Hall.
The Town of Ladysmith has updated its Official Community Plan (OCP) to help manage growth and change in a way that helps our community meet its goals
The Town of Ladysmith's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan is a progressive vision set by Council for improving the lives of residents in a thriving town, and provides clear direction and focus for Council and staff over the current term.
Mayor
Council is proud to serve the over 9,000 residents who call the Town of Ladysmith home. Mayor and Council meet regularly as both Council and the Committee of the Whole. As part of their duties as elected officials, members of Council also serve on various boards and committees, including: the Cowichan Valley Regional District, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, Community Planning Advisory Committee, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce, Youth Advisory Committee, and several more.
Councillor