Taxes

What's new

West Kelowna Council unanimously adopted the 2023 Budget and Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw setting the tax rate at 5.0 per cent at its regular meeting on April 18, 2023, continuing to reflect responsible investments needed in West Kelowna and building on the momentum of the previous Council term priorities focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and water upgrades. This budget reflects financial prudence recognizing just how rapidly West Kelowna is growing, and the diligence in efficiently managing the City’s revenues, expenses, capital, and reserves that support healthy, sustainable, and progressive community growth.

The budget includes a 1.7 per cent increase reflecting investments in police and protective services, and 1.0 per cent allocated to active transportation infrastructure such as the design and construction of the Boucherie Multi-use Pathway. The total 2023 capital budget is $30.7 million and is invested across the city such as $5.6 million for water and sewer utilities, $7 million for roads, $1.7 million for pedestrian infrastructure, $8 million allocated to begin the replacement of Fire Hall #32, and $1 million to mitigate the impacts of storm events.

Growth of 1.75 per cent, in 2022, resulted in revenue of $681,000, which was used to reduce the tax burden and increase transfers to reserves. The value for taxes is directly attributed to the delivery of programs, services and other strategic priority projects of Council based on continual community input.

Deadline to pay taxes

Property tax notices are mailed at the end of May. Payments are due July 4, 2023 by 4:30 p.m.

Property tax deferment

Property tax deferment may be an option to help offset household costs. Learn more about this Province of BC program, which is available to families with children, people over 55, widows and widowers, and people living with disabilities, on the provincial tax deferment website.

For property tax payment options and other information, visit our Property Tax webpage.

What have past tax increases been set at?

2022: 4.00 per cent
2021: 4.05 per cent
2020: 2.80 per cent
2019: 3.88 per cent
2018: 2.18 per cent
2017: 3.00 per cent
2016: 3.00 per cent
2015: 2.70 per cent
2014: 2.95 per cent
2013: 2.95 per cent
2012: 3.00 per cent
2011: 2.24 per cent
2010: 2.35 per cent
2009: 2.00 per cent
2008: 5.00 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.