
Kelowna councillors will deliberate next week over a 2024 budget that proposes to hit taxpayers with a 4.76 per cent tax increase.
The proposed increase would work out to an additional $112.95 for the owner of the average single-family detached home in Kelowna.
The budget includes a one per cent public safety levy endorsed by council as part of the 2023 financial plan.
City officials say the 2024 budget puts a priority on community safety with the addition of more RCMP, bylaw officers and firefighters, addressing homelessness through a renewed Journey Home strategy, more investments in transit and transportation and focusing on climate change.
Council will go through the budget line-by-line on Dec. 7 to establish a preliminary budget figure.
Final budget and setting of the tax rate is expected in April.
Taxation accounts for about a quarter of the city's yearly revenues with users fees and charges, reserves, surpluses and grants making up the other 75 per cent.