Committee of the Whole - Nov. 13, 2024

Committee of the Whole

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024

Watch meetings live or via the webcast archive

Committee of the Whole meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. To view the Nov. 13 webcast archive, please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com.

Presentation given on 2025 Budget Primer – Resources and Service Levels

Staff provided Council with an early look at proposed supplemental full-time positions (FTEs) for the Draft 2025 Budget. As of 2024, the City funds 263.2 FTE positions across all departments, which, on a per capita basis, is 0.7 FTE greater than the 2019 total. For 2025, there are requests for an additional 8.5 FTEs, plus two new, full-time flex firefighters, and a part-time Fire Services admin position to reduce the department’s overtime costs. Additionally, Policing Services is requesting a front counter municipal clerk to handle non-emergency calls. The City also funds 38 RCMP members, with 19 additional officers proposed in the policing strategic plan to be added by 2028. However, staff recommends balancing the additions over a longer seven-year period to reduce the tax impact.

For more details, please read the staff report and the summary of supplemental FTE requests. The tax impact of the proposed supplemental FTEs is dependent upon the number of positions Council approves. Initial budget deliberations are scheduled for Dec. 18 and 19, with public consultation to follow in the New Year.