More police officers, firefighters & bylaw officers in new budget

Kelowna council has approved a 4.75 per cent tax increase for 2024 as part of a $562 million budget.

Based on the average single-detached home in Kelowna, the increase translates to an extra $112 in municipal property taxes, which works out to $9.39 per month.

It includes the continuation of a one-per-cent public safety levy to fund 16 new RCMP members, six firefighters and six bylaw positions, some of which are funded through the public safety levy.

City officials say the 2024 budget makes a shift from traditional budgeting to service-based budgeting, which they say provides greater clarity of services offered to the community and their associated costs.

City manager Doug Gilchrist said the new approach not only facilitates more thoughtful discussion and review of service levels, but also gives council a better understanding of how, where and when the City can redeploy finite resources to areas of need.

“I am excited about the move to a service-based budget for our city as it will help us target investments that will improve the quality of life for all residents,” Gilchrist said. “I am confident that our strategic ability to make sound financial decisions for the collective good is one of our greatest strengths. It is also our greatest responsibility.”

To keep up with growth and development, the city is investing $20.2 million in transportation infrastructure projects, including $4.7 million in enhancing, maintaining, and expanding active transportation networks; $1 million to start transportation upgrades in preparation of the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre Park and $3.9 million for the rail trail to greenway expansion.

Other investments include the Building a Stronger Kelowna suite of recreational facilities, which will see capital investments of over $14.3 million this coming year.

Council’s priority of addressing homelessness will see creation of a new social services function with an investment of $700,000, while funding has also been approved to craft a comprehensive five-year housing strategy to create actionable activities to diversify housing forms for current and future residents.

To help combat the growing impacts of climate change, the approved 2024 financial plan will provide capital investments that total to over $8.9 million to implement proactive initiatives to tackle wildfire and flood mitigation. An additional $400,000 will be used to introduce a new financial incentive program to residents and businesses that participate in renewable and efficiency programs.

For more on the Kelowna budget, visit kelowna.ca/budget.