Kelowna council to spend day combing through 2020 budget

UPDATE: 4:05 p.m.

Kelowna's top cop was probably the most surprised person in city council chambers Thursday.

Supt. Brent Mundle got more than he expected from council during its 2020 budget deliberations.

Mundle had asked for seven additional officers in 2020. He got 11.

"I am certainly appreciative of the support from city council with respect to our resource ask this year," said Mundle

The resources they just committed to are certainly going to help us improve our visibility within the community, especially in our downtown and business areas through foot patrols and our school resource officer program, and really needed investigative positions as well."

Six of the officers will help augment the detachments downtown foot patrol, four will work in investigative support while the other will beef up the school liaison program.

The additional officers likely won't hit the streets until late summer or early fall.

The extra expenditure is expected to tentatively bump a tax increase in 2021 and 2022 to close to six per cent.

While public safety was a theme to the budget, so were parks and some much anticipated projects.

After more than a decade of promises, construction will finally begin on the first phase of what was known as Cedar Avenue Park.

Council also approved design of what could be a $25.5 million expansion of CNC, the continuation of consultations between the city and school district on a new Parkinson Rec Centre and high school collaboration.

Money was also set aside for the next phases of Rowcliffe, Glenmore and Centennial parks, as well as design and construction of the second phase of a new City Park promenade.

Mayor Colin Basran said the budget was consistent with council priorities and what the city is hearing from the public.

"Certainly protective service and public safety is something we've heard loud and clear as something that has to be addressed," said Basran.

"We are also cognizant of the fact that hiring more officers does not fix our social issues. We need to continue to advance Journey Home, get people housed and the supports they need, but enforcement is also an important part of a safe community over all."

The average Kelowna homeowner will tentatively pay $87 more in municipal tax than a year ago.

The budget won't be set in stone until the end of May.

UPDATE: 2:20 p.m.

Kelowna taxpayers are facing a 2020 tax increase of 4.15 per cent.

That's a quarter of a percentage point higher than the 3.9 per cent hike included in the proposed budget document.

The increase means the average Kelowna taxpayer will pay $87 more than a year ago.

The extra budget come from the unexpected addition of four more RCMP officers. The four positions had originally been unfunded.

The final number is not written in stone. The city has until the end of May to finalize the 2020 budget.

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UPDATE: 1:40 p.m.

City council was in a giving mood following a brief lunch break.

After approving, as expected, seven RCMP officers for the coming year, council, at the urging of Coun. Maxine DeHart, gave approval to four other officers who were listed as a non-funded Priority 2 item.

In moving them to Priority 1, council added nearly $360,000 to the 2020 budget, which would move the proposed 3.9 per cent increase to about 4.15 per cent.

Finance director Genelle Davidson says the additional officers will also add a 0.25 per cent increase to a 2021 budget that is already projected to include a 5.16 per cent hike.

The heavily debated motion passed 6-3 with councillors Stack, Given and Wooldridge opposed, stating their concern for an already large budget increase being proposed for the next two years.

It was also indicated council would be asked to approve another 10 officers in 2021.

However, Mayor Colin Basran said adding four extra officers this year means council could scale back the ask in 2021.

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UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.

The city and School District 23 are moving forward with a plan to combine a new high school into construction of a new recreation centre to replace the aging Parkinson Rec Centre.

Council approved a $500,000 budget to continue to move the potential collaboration forward.

Budget is requested for staff time and associated consultant work prior to finalizing an agreement, prepare for grants, and initial preparation for an Alternate Approval Process and Ministry of Education submission.

Consultation costs will be shared with the school district.

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UPDATE: 10:20 a.m.

After more than 10 years of promises, construction will finally begin on what is now known as Pandosy Waterfront Park

City council approved a $4.5 million for the beginning of construction of the park on Cedar Avenue.

Work will include public consultation, design and the first phase of construction

This includes demolition of the existing residential properties, a central plaza, activity lawn, beach front, restored shoreline, and outdoor classroom. Construction of the first phase is anticipated to be completed in 2021.

Council agreed the expenditure is great news, and finally makes good on a promise made to residents more than a decade ago.

Coun. Luke Stack said if it wasn't for the inclusion of an infrastructure tax levy in last years budget, this may not have been possible this year.

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UPDATE: 10:05 a.m.

The city is beginning a multi-year expansion for the Capital News Centre.

Council has approved a $230,000 budget request for a program and schematic design for expansion of the facility.

The plan is to add two more sheets of ice and additional sports facilities. Cost of the expansion is estimated at $25.5 million.

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UPDATE: 9:50 a.m.

City council will take a second look at a Priority 2 fire department request for an additional fire inspector.

Fire Chief Travis Whiting, after being questioned by council, said the department is behind in its yearly building inspections, partly due to the number of short term rentals coming on stream.

He said the situation will only get worse without the additional inspector position.

Council will look at the position again at the end of the budget. The $84,000 expenditure, if added, would increase the budget increase by approximately 0.06 per cent.

City manager Doug Gilchrist did caution council they will likely see similar Priority 2 items in the budget throughout the day, because the city was required to make some very tough decisions to keep the increase as low as possible.

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UPDATE: 9:10 a.m.

City manager Doug Gilchrist said the budget city council will review today is one he is confident will meet the needs of the community.

With a proposed $81 tax increase for the average Kelowna taxpayer, Gilchrist said he feels the the city is being financially responsible with the residents tax dollars.

"During this year's budget process, staff were directed to ensure the requests were aligned with council's priorities, with master plans council has approved, and also to enhance or maintain base service levels our community has become accustomed to," said Gilchrist.

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You'll get a better idea today just how much your 2020 Kelowna municipal tax bill will be.

City council will spend much of the day going over each budgeted request as well as Priority 2 items that did not make the final cut.

Most years, one or two Priority 2 expenditures are elevated to the budget.

Staff have recommended an overall tax increase of 3.9 per cent. That includes 2.08 per cent for overall operations and 1.82 per cent for the infrastructure levy.

The overall tax demand is $151 million.

One of the key components of the budget is a request for 21 safety positions, including seven RCMP officers.

Budget deliberations will begin at 9 a.m. in council chambers.

Castanet will broadcast the proceedings live.