Council Highlights - Feb. 24, 2026

Date of Issue: Feb. 25, 2026

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. Please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com to view the Feb. 24 webcast archive.

Council encourages participation in Pink Shirt Day

Council and staff participate in Pink Shirt Day every year to foster safety and well-being and promote a respectful workplace and encourage everyone to join in this important day, as a reminder that bullying is unacceptable on social media, in our homes, schools and workplaces or anywhere in our community. Youth who need mental health support, please contact Foundry Kelowna, which is expanding services in West Kelowna or connect with the following around the clock resources:

• Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
• Mental health issue: Call 310-­6789 (no area code required)
• Medical emergency: Dial 911
• Suicide crisis: Call 1-800-784-­2433

Check out the Spring 2026 Rec Guide

Council reminded residents that the Spring Rec Guide is now online at westkelownacity.ca/recguide, with hundreds of programs available, including spring break camps, public skating and swimming lessons. Residents can also find details and dates for spring events such as the Easter Egg-stravaganza, Art Exhibition, Peruse the Parks scavenger hunt, Park Play Days and FireSmart Family Day.

Utility billing rates for sewer, water and solid waste adopted

Council adopted Fees and Charges Bylaw amendments updating 2026 utility billing rates to cover operating costs and infrastructure needs. Quarterly increases are $5.10 for sewer, and $2.01 for waste collection. In the Powers Creek Service Area, water rates will increase by $25.62 per quarter. In the Rose Valley Service Area, water rates will increase by $1.80 per quarter; however, $37.50 will also be moved from water rates on quarterly utility bills to an annual parcel tax of $168.89 on property taxes for each customer’s share of the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant Project. Those who prepaid will not pay the parcel tax. A Water Rate Study is also slated to begin in late 2026 to help establish future fee structures, which will continue to ensure long-term sustainability for water operations and infrastructure.

Housing update – secondary suite and carriage home incentives

Council approved the Secondary Suite and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Creation and Legalization Incentive Program to encourage construction and legalization of secondary suites, and carriage homes. The City will allocate up to $330,000 from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) grant to waive building permit application fees and provide grants of up to $7,500 to homeowners with eligible projects. Staff will return to Council this spring with a proposed Development Cost Charge (DCC) Waiver Bylaw and associated program that will enable the allocation of up to $1.2 million in HAF funds to waive DCCs for non-market housing. Both programs will continue through 2027. Staff will also implement customer service standards and front-of-the-line procedures to streamline applications.

Memorial Park Plan process presented

Council received a report on the launch of public engagement that will help shape a new Memorial Park Plan, which was last updated in 2013. Council and staff encourage our community to share ideas on possible future uses and amenities by completing an online survey or dropping into an open house on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. Learn more at OurWK.ca/memorialpark. Input will help inform a draft concept plan, which staff anticipate presenting to Council next winter.

Council conducts policy review

Council reclassified select Corporate Services, Community Development, and Financial Services policies, and directed staff to review and update these policies as required, requested an updated Chief Administrative Officer Performance Review Process for consideration, and directed updates to twelve other Council policies prior to the 2026 General Local Election in October.