Council pleased with budget

Photo: Contributed

Overall, Kelowna city council is pleased with the city's budget for 2015, as the 3.2 per cent tax increase is less than what was approved in January. 

Acting mayor Tracey Gray says council came in line with what it had been working on for months, and there were no big surprises. 

“There is always a few things you are waiting on to come in. They have come in now, and there has been a slight adjustment, and I’m sure most people will be happy that it was adjusted down slightly." 

Changes to the budget include the removal of $200,000 that was to be allocated for restoration of Cameron House.

An additional $380,000 was requested to allow for competition of the Rose/Ricther intersection transportation capital project. It originally had an approved $610,000 in the provisional budget.

Meanwhile, the South Perimeter Road in the Mission is identified to be delivered in 2017. As a result, $200,000 was requested for a preliminary design to be completed so land acquisition and other items can be identified in preparation for detailed design and construction.

The total project cost is $6,443,200 in the development cost charges roads program.

The largest allocation of tax dollars goes to civic operations, at 34 per cent, then police at 25 per cent and fire at 12 per cent. 

Gray says, since January, council has had positive feedback from the community on the budget's direction and the delivery of services. 

“Of course, a big part of the budget has to do with the RCMP building, and I think a lot of people recognize that, and it is a project that is over multi-years. So I don’t think there were a lot of surprises there.

"It is just a matter of being open and transparent, with everything that is in the budget.”

Coun. Ryan Donn worries the public may get a bit of a surprise in 2016, as there is already demand for a tax increase next year, without any increase in services.

Projected in the five-year financial plan, there is a 1.54 per cent increase for 2016 before considering the impacts of wage changes, borrowing or inflation.

Although Gray says it’s only year one of the five-year plan, and there will most likely be adjustments. 

“When you look at opportunities, both on the revnue side and also with capital expenditures, that will be adjusted as we go. But it is good to have a general idea of where you’re going."

The overall tax impact on Kelowna residents is $213 million. The city has the largest chunk of that – $113.54 million or 53 per cent. The next largest is school taxes, which take 33 per cent of the total at $69.4 million.