Close
Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.
Skip to Content
View All
Pause
  • ApplyDown Chevron
    • Activities and Programs
    • Building Permits
    • Burning Permit
    • Development Applications
    • Dog License
    • Facility Booking
    • Jobs at the City
    • Preauthorized Tax Payments or Deferments
    • Speak As a Delegation Before Council
  • PayDown Chevron
    • Handicapped Parking Passes
    • Recreation Programs
    • Swimming Passes
    • Taxes
    • Transit Tickets
    • Utility Bills
  • ReportDown Chevron
    • Bylaw Infraction
    • Customer Service Feedback
    • Dogs
    • Illegal Dumping
    • Missed Garbage Pickup
    • Outdoor Burning
    • Service Request
Close icon

City of West Kelowna Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon
  • Our Community
    • About West Kelowna
    • Bylaw Compliance
    • Capital Projects/RVWTP
    • Community Vision - OurWK
    • COVID-19
    • Dogs
    • Drainage, Flooding and Storm Sewers
    • Engage With Us
    • Fire and Rescue
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Police (RCMP)
    • Roads, Sidewalks and Street Lights
    • Sanitary Sewers and Wastewater
    • Short Term Rentals
    • Snow Control
    • Social Housing in West Kelowna
    • Tourism - Visit Westside
    • Water
  • Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Arenas, Facilities and Pool
    • Arts and Culture
    • Assistance Programs
    • Beaches and Boat Launches
    • Book a Facility or Field
    • Cemetery
    • Online Registration
    • Parks Amenity Donation Program
    • Parks and Trails
    • News for Parks, Recreation and Culture
    • Recreation Guide
    • Virtual Parks Tour
  • Building, Business and Development
    • Bids and Tenders
    • Building Department
    • Business Directory
    • Business Licences
    • CityView Portal
    • Economic Development
    • Maps and GIS
    • Planning and Development
    • Signs
  • City Hall
    • Accessibility
    • Agendas and Minutes
    • Budget
    • Bylaws
    • Contact Us
    • COVID-19
    • Disclaimer & Privacy Policy
    • Elections and Electoral Approval
    • Employment
    • Freedom of Information
    • Mayor and Council
    • News and Alerts
    • Plans and Strategies
    • Property Taxes
    • Services
    • Speculation Tax
    • Utility Bills
    • Webcasts
  • I Want To...
Question MarkAsk West Kelowna

Default Interior Banner

  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Email This page Email
Show or hide navigation More

Lower tax increase and waived interest for utility bills lessens financial burden during COVID-19

Posted On Tuesday April 07, 2020
Tweet
Open new window to subscribe via RSS
Subscribe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 07, 2020

West Kelowna Council has reduced the proposed tax increase from 4.8 per cent to 2.8 per cent in order to provide relief to residents and businesses facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. The lower rate was included in an amendment to the City’s 2020 – 2024 Financial Plan, which Council adopted at the April 7 meeting.

“Cutting the tax increase is the right thing to do and we must continue to look for ways to support our residents and businesses who need the help during this difficult time,” said Mayor Gord Milsom. “This is not an easy decision as it may impact some of the services we provide or lead to setbacks on some of our projects. However, we need to help our community where we can during COVID-19. We are also requesting that the Province of BC expand their Property Tax Deferment Program and extend the tax penalty due date.”

Staff will look at ways to achieve the lower property tax rate as directed by Council, which is anticipated to include some staffing and service-level reductions.

The lower tax rate was one of several items on this week’s agenda where Council directed staff to help lessen the financial hardship and uncertainty created by COVID-19. As part of adoption of the Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw, Council also approved eliminating the one per cent interest charged on outstanding utility bill balances through to the end of 2020.

“We hope these measures provide relief and flexibility for those that are under financial hardship and need the assistance,” says Paul Gipps, Chief Administrative Officer. “Council’s direction is to help ease the financial burden of COVID-19, and staff will bring back solutions to meet that objective. Our Financial Services staff have done exceptional work to keep our financial continuity intact, and we will continue to evaluate further options that do not put the City at financial risk.”

“This is an unprecedented time for us and we are balancing the need to alleviate the fee and tax burden in our community while preserving the city’s treasury function” says Warren Everton, Chief Financial Officer. “We are encouraging those in our community who are able to pay their fees and taxes on-time to kindly proceed as best as they can. This will help keep our receivables in a more steady state as we strive to meet our capital and operating budget needs.” 

In continuing with Council’s top priority to provide clean, safe and reliable drinking water, particularly for the future Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant users, Council also adopted the Water Rates Bylaw. Council adopted this annual bylaw to protect the pre-planned financial contributions necessary to maintain existing and provide new water infrastructure in the City of West Kelowna.

As with other municipal governments across BC, the City adopted a Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw that provides the ability for the City to temporarily borrow up to $6 million to cover capital and operating costs in the event of tax revenue delays resulting from COVID-19. West Kelowna is a very young municipality and, unlike many other BC local governments, does not have the depth of reserves needed to front financial hardship measures during such unprecedented times such as a global pandemic.

“These combined financial measures provide a good balance of increased flexibility and temporary financial relief measures for our community while we continue to keep our operations running as normal as possible during COVID-19,” says Mayor Milsom.

For more information, please visit our COVID-19 webpage at www.westkelownacity.ca/covid-19.

Back to Search

Contact Us

Subscribe to this Page

    City of West Kelowna Footer Logo

    © 2018 The City of West Kelowna,
    2760 Cameron Road,
    West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 2T6
    Email us, Phone: 778-797-1000

    A to ZAccessibilityDisclaimer and Privacy PolicySitemapContact Us