West Kelowna approves 4% budget hike, $81 for average home

West Kelowna council has adopted its 2022 budget which carries a tax increase of four per cent.

The financial document includes a 2.4 per cent increase for investments in police services and a one per cent infrastructure levy. This year will mark the second year of applying the levy, raising $365,000 for active transportation projects across the city.

“Our 2022 budget and five-year financial plan reflect council’s continued commitment to capital and operating priorities that includes community input as we work together to make West Kelowna the place to be,” said Mayor Gord Milsom. “This is a fiscally responsible budget that demonstrates council’s action to increase the number of West Kelowna RCMP members, increase active transportation, design and build long overdue facilities and advance many other priorities of the community and council. We’re growing at a rapid pace and it’s important that our financial planning reflect a confident and sustainable approach.”

The city’s updated growth projection from 2.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent generated an additional $914,000, which will be transferred to reserves to reduce the future tax burden.

The tax hike will result in a total net operating budget of $38.9 million and will average an extra $81 for total average taxes of $2,281 per household for 2022, based on the assessed value of $866,277.

The tax portion of the operating budget is approximately 40 per cent with the remainder for user fees for solid waste, water and sewer including school district and other government services.

The city’s 2022 capital budget is $25.5 million, targeted in infrastructure areas such as $10 million for the water utility, $1.9 million for roads, $1.6 million for pedestrian infrastructure, $1.7 million for sewer utility, $5.6 million for facilities operations and Fire Hall #32 and $640,000 in fire protection. The Parks and Communities Amenities Fund is earmarked for $1 million providing upgrades to eight parks across the city.

Visit westkelownacity.ca/budget to view the adopted 2022 budget and 2022 strategic priorities.