Taxes

4.05 per cent tax increase adopted for 2021

Mount Boucherie West Kelowna is truly the place to be. The 2021 Budget reflects the urban service levels that the community expects and the amenities and programs that attract residents to live, work and play in our beautiful city. The City provides high quality programs, services and projects, which are based on community input and outlined in Council’s 2021 to 2022 Strategic Priorities' four pillars: Invest In Infrastructure, Economic Growth and Prosperity, Strengthen Our Community and Foster Safety and Well-Being.

The 2021 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw includes a 3.05 per cent tax increase, plus a one per cent Infrastructure Levy. The total 4.05 per cent increase results in an additional $84.00 per household over 2020 taxes based on an average assessed value of $655,470.

The tax portion of the budget is approximately 40 per cent, or $36.6 million, with the remainder coming from user fees and levies for solid waste, water and sewer and school district and other government services. The municipal tax portion of the budget provides funding that:

Cares for more than 100 beaches, parks, sports courts and trails (image right - Mt. Boucherie trails).
Provides nearly a dozen rec facilities and hundreds of programsthat our residents enjoy.
Maintains a 522-lane-kilometer transportation network that connects our neighbourhoods.
Operates four fire halls, an RCMP detachment and employs police, firefighters and bylaw officers to keep us safe.
Supports innovative development and long-term planning initiatives.
Gives grants to youth sports and clubs and community not-for-profit groups.
Mitigates against flood and wildfire risks.
Ensures essential services and virtual connectivity with you during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deadline to pay taxes

Property tax notices are mailed at the end of May or the beginning of June. Payments are due July 2, 2021 by 4:30pm.

Property tax deferment

Property tax deferment may also be an option to help you offset your household costs. To learn more about the program, which is available to families with children, people over 55, widows and widowers and people living with disabilities and the disabled, please visit the Province of BC's tax deferment website.

For property tax payment options and other information please go to our Property Tax webpage.

What have past tax increases been set at?

2008: 5.00 per cent
2009: 2.00 per cent
2010: 2.35 per cent
2011: 2.24 per cent
2012: 3.00 per cent
2013: 2.95 per cent
2014: 2.95 per cent
2015: 2.70 per cent
2016: 3.00 per cent
2017: 3.00 per cent
2018: 2.18 per cent
2019: 3.88 per cent
2020: 2.8 per cent
2021: 4.05 per cent

What things are considered when establishing tax levels?

Staff and Council know that tax dollars are limited, despite a multitude of service, program and infrastructure requests. Mayor and Council and many city staff are tax paying residents too.

To ensure wise spending, Council establishes Strategic Priorities which set goals for the municipality. The budget process also takes into consideration such factors as affordability, assessment values, inflation, population and construction growth, recommendations from master plans, asset management and requests for services.