Council Highlights - March 10, 2026

Date of Issue: Wednesday, March 11, 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.comto view the March 10 webcast archive.

Key Business Award winners congratulated

Council congratulated thewinners and nomineesof the 24^th Annual Greater Westside Board of Trade Key Business Awards on Feb. 26 and thanked everyone who supported the City of West Kelowna’s 2025 Music in the Park season, which won the Arts and Entertainment Award.

Council Remuneration Task Force members appointed

Council appointed six community members to the Council Remuneration Task Force: Elizabeth Dickson, Roberta Fidalgo, Joe Gluska, Melissa Grassmick, Kathy Hogan Lordon, and Jayson Zilkie.Council remuneration and expense policies are reviewed in the last year of each Council term in anticipation of a new Council term beginning.The task force will provide a recommendation for Council’s consideration. If adopted, the changes to the Council remuneration would take effect in January 2027.

Okanagan Regional Library gives presentation

The Okanagan Regional Library gave a presentationon their role in supporting communities through free programs, technology access, job search support and welcoming public spaces, including various services available to visitors to the West Kelowna branch.

Development variance permit for Horizon Drive subdivision deferred

Council deferred a development variance permitfor 2232 Horizon Drive, requesting staff work with the applicant to include connecting the existing sidewalk on Horizon Drive as a condition of approval.

2026–2030 Financial Plan moves forward for consideration of adoption

Council gave third reading to the 2026–2030 Financial Plan with reductions that lower the proposed 2026 budget increase for municipal taxes to 6.638 per cent, rather than 7.6 per cent, or approximately $266 annually on an average residential property, rather than $290. The adjustments remove an additional bylaw officer and a parks maintenance operator and reduce some departments' operating budgets while maintaining core services.

Commercial boat launch licensing program moves forward

Council gave first, second and third readings tobylaws to establish aMarine Launch Licence, starting in May 2026, for commercial operators, such as boat rentals, tours, valet/storage services and marine clubs, who use the Gellatly Bay boat launch, to help offset the City’s operating and maintenance costs. Council also passed a motion to review the Marine Launch Licence program within two years of operation and that the fees for the first year will be prorated.

Traffic calming measures explored for Vineyard Drive and Stuart Road

Council requested staff report back on two options to reduce speed on Vineyard Drive and to provide additional paint markings on Stuart Road. Staff will report back on the potential of installing a three-way stop at Vineyard Drive and Ridge Blvd and to consider replacing advisory speed signs with regulatory signage near Vineyard Park. For a summary of Council’s deliberations, please watch the March 10 webcast.

Existing dog parks to be upgraded

Following discussion regarding new dog park locations, Council passed a motion to reallocate funding for new dog parks to upgrade existing dog parks within West Kelowna and to create a standard design guideline for dog parks. For a summary of Council’s deliberations, please watch the March 10 webcast.

Rose Valley Reservoir aeration project scope to be re-evaluated

Council requested staff to pause the RFQ process for the Rose Valley Reservoir aeration project and to re-evaluate the scope of the project to bring back a recommended approach for consideration. For a summary of Council’s deliberations, please watch the March 10 webcast.