Council Highlights - April 7, 2020

Council Meeting

April 7, 2020

COVID-19 update
Mayor Milsom opened the meeting acknowledging the uncertainty of the current environment caused by COVID-19 and the need to support residents and businesses. He thanked the community for efforts so far to comply with health authority guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19 such as social distancing, regular handwashing, staying home and self-isolating and not touching one’s face.

Tax increase lowered
Council decided to reduce the proposed tax rate increase by two per cent, from 4.8 per cent down to 2.8 per cent as part of the adoption of this year’s five-year financial plan. Staff amended the plan to include the lower rate as per Council’s request that the City explore measures to help support local residents and businesses during COVID-19. Staff will look at ways to achieve the lower property tax rate as directed by Council. Anticipated measures include some staffing and service-level reductions.

Council provides relief on utility bill penalties
Council approved an amendment to the Water Rates Schedule in the Fees and Charges Bylaw to waive the one per cent interest charged on outstanding balances through to the end of 2020. The amendment creates payment flexibility for customers, while still ensuring that the City has the revenue required to advance its plans to build the key infrastructure needed to provide clean water to all citizens.

Council approves $6 million borrowing bylaw
Council adopted a Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw that authorizes the City to temporarily borrow up to $6 million in the event there is a delay in 2020 tax revenues due to COVID-19. The City would only borrow funds to address expenditures associated with capital and operating costs in the short term and would repay the funds upon receipt of revenues. 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 hardships during such unprecedented times such as a global pandemic.

Climate action update presented to Council
Council received an update on the City’s efforts to become carbon neutral since becoming a signatory municipality of the B.C. Climate Action Charter in 2012. As of 2020, the City of West Kelowna has not yet reached the goal. However, the Province of BC has credited the City for continuing to make progress towards this objective. The municipality is also poised to begin taking potential further actions through growth and development opportunities including the provision of new city infrastructure and facilities.

Contract awarded for Willow Park shoreline recovery
Council awarded the construction contract for the Willow Park Shoreline Recovery Works to Landmark Solutions Ltd., for a total value of $471,314.50 excluding taxes. The contract is funded 80 per cent by the Government of British Columbia’s Disaster Financial Assistance Program. The City anticipates its costs will be $95,000 thanks to the provincial assistance.

New water rates adopted
Council adopted an amended Water Rate Schedule in the Fees and Charges Bylaw, which will see the continued implementation of planned water rate increases. The new rates include increases for customers in Rose Valley ($6/month) and Powers Creek ($4/month) and introduces a quarterly flat rate for agricultural customers. The increases are the second step in a four-year plan to fund improvements that will result in all citizens having the same level of water service. Council also waived the one per cent late penalty through to the end of this year to provide flexibility for customers facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 crisis.