West Kelowna property tax increase trimmed

Homeowners in West Kelowna will see a slightly smaller property tax increase this year, but the relief comes with a catch.

Council approved a nearly one per cent reduction in the 2026 property tax hike, lowering the overall increase to 6.638 per cent. For the owner of an average $945,000 home, that translates to a savings of about $24 compared with earlier estimates.

The reduction was achieved by trimming budgets across several departments and cutting two full-time positions in parks and bylaw services. Council considered a second option that would have deferred hiring additional RCMP officers, but ultimately chose the first plan.

Mayor Gord Milsom and councilors warned that the cuts are temporary and could create additional pressures for next year’s council.

Some councilors expressed concern that staff workloads will increase as the city moves forward with policing and park projects without the extra employees hires.