Council Highlights - Jan. 31, 2023 - City of West Kelowna

Special Meeting

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023

Council gave first reading to the 2023 to 2027 Financial Plan on Tuesday, Jan. 31, after a two-day session of deliberations. The Draft 2023 Budget presented on Jan. 30 and 31 strengthens public safety, infrastructure investment and provides for water upgrades, while maintaining efficient operations.

For 2023, the draft budget proposes a municipal tax increase of 5.0 per cent, which includes a 1.7 per cent increase in police services costs and one per cent for infrastructure. If approved, the municipal tax would be approximately $2,444 based on an average assessment of $995,677 for 2023.

Total revenue of just over $68 million is expected in the General Fund, with taxation at approximately 67 per cent of revenue. Water and sewer funds are expecting approximately $21 million in revenue.

Operating expenses for all programs and services for 2023 are $89.3 million, with the largest portions for protective services, including policing and fire rescue at $20 million, and water, sewer, solid waste and recycling at $18.2 million.

Overview of the draft 2023 capital projects

Infrastructure upgrades are proposed across the city, with an overall capital budget projected at $33.9 million. Highlights of capital funding allocations includes $7 million in transportation initiatives, replacement of Fire Hall #32 subject to $8 million funded by long-term borrowing, $5.6 million for the water and sewer capital, which comprises improvements to the Powers Creek Water Treatment Plant intake screen and hypochlorite system at $2.6 million, and an update to the Water Master Plan for $250,000.

Highlights of the transportation infrastructure investment

Road Rehabilitation Program at $1.2 million funded from Gas Tax and Capital Reserves
Boucherie multi-use pathway at $2.4 million
Butt Road sidewalk and Old Okanagan intersection improvements for $2.75 million funded from reserves and Development Cost charges
Elliot Road from Reece to Smith Creek Roads design $250,000
Pedestrian Infrastructure Program funded by the Federal Gas Tax Fund and capital reserves for the building of a sidewalk on Horizon Drive, including walkway repairs and installation of stairs between Shannon Springs Park and Terravista walkway totalling $1.7 million

Enhancing public spaces

Julia’s Junction, a community-driven initiative will offer an inclusive play space for all abilities, located at Westbank Centre valued at $750,000 with $550,000 recoverable through fundraising efforts. The Parks Master Plan budget of $110,000 will evaluate short and long-term community priorities and update athletic field demand and user needs and action plans.

Supplemental operational requests summarized

Supplemental operating and staffing requests total $917,157, including two additional RCMP officers, a community support officer, an information services supervisor, a part-time assistant, two firefighters and a seasonal bylaw officer.

Upgrades to drainage in Glenrosa, Shannon Lake and Green Bay

Storm drainage improvements set at $1 million to mitigate the impacts of storm events are scheduled this year. Projects slated include the Inverness culvert replacement in Glenrosa, drainage works for Boucherie Road near Gregory Road intersection, Shannon Woods and Green Bay neighbourhoods.

Other supplemental and capital requests

Other new requests that support infrastructure repairs and parks maintenance include:

Bear-proof garbage containers for $16,629, parks irrigation renewal at $100,000 and court resurfacing at $126,334.
The total increase in transfer to reserves projected in the General Fund budget is $1.05 million, including infrastructure allocation.

See the complete list of capital projects proposed for 2023 in the 10-Year Capital Plan.

Council may revise the Financial Plan during second and third reading pending public input and additional information from staff regarding capital requests.

Public consultation

Feedback will open starting Feb. 7 on the Draft 2023 Budget, with comments to be received by Feb. 16. Public input will support Council’s decision-making that balances taxation and demand for service prior to second reading of the 2023 – 2027 Financial Plan Bylaw at a future Council meeting.

Visit OurWK.ca to learn more and stay involved.

Grant-in-aid requests

A summary of the organizations applying through the Grant-in-Aid program will be brought forward for Council’s consideration on Feb. 9, 2023 at the Committee of the Whole and Council will deliberate all the requests at the Feb. 14 Council meeting.