The City's provisional 2020 Financial Plan is now available for review at kelowna.ca/budget.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, City Council will consider the provisional 2020 budget at an all-day deliberation meeting.
Budget deliberations are public and held in Council Chambers at City Hall (1435 Water St.).
In advance, Council will also receive an overview presentation from staff at its regular meeting on Monday, Dec. 9.
The 2020 Financial Plan proposes an overall taxation demand increase of 3.9 per cent, of which 2.08 per cent is the general municipal tax demand increase.
It also includes the 1.82 per cent infrastructure levy increase which was approved as part of last year’s 2019 budget to address the infrastructure deficit identified in the City’s 10-year Capital Plan.
As proposed, a 3.9 per cent increase would result in an $81 increase ($6.75 per month) for the average single-detached home in Kelowna.
The final tax demand increase will be set in April 2020, following final review of requests by City Council.
The funding requests demonstrate the ways we are taking action to advance the community’s Imagine Kelowna vision and deliver on Council’s priorities. The provisional 2020 budget prioritizes:
- Improvements to public safety with $1.08 million in resources investments to start making a difference. There are 21 safety related positions being proposed, including 7 new RCMP Members.
- Building vibrant neighbourhoods by advancing park developments with a proposed $22.4 million for parks acquisition, development and improvements. This includes funding from the new Parks Development Cost Charges program which will see the acceleration of park developments residents have been anticipating, such as the Phase 1 of the Pandosy Waterfront Park.
- Bolstering economic resiliency by planning for a better Kelowna International Airport with the budget’s largest investment request: $69.9 million. The Airport plays an important role in our local and regional economy. As YLW is self-funded through user fees and charges it has no taxation impact.
- Ensuring a socially responsible and inclusive community by investing nearly $1 million to support programs and initiatives to continue to help address complex social issues.
- Improving transportation alternatives with $20.5 million in transportation projects planned in 2020 including to expand the Ethel Street Active Transportation Corridor and renew existing roads, sidewalks and bus stops.
- Demonstrating our commitment to environmental protection. We need to be proactive against the impacts of climate change. The budget proposes $2.8 million in storm drainage upgrades and improvements and adding up to eight new electric vehicle charging stations downtown.
As a financially resourceful municipality, the City of Kelowna has multiple revenue sources.
Taxation funding within the proposed 2020 budget represents 31 per cent. User fees and charges, grants, sponsorship and advertising, reserves and surpluses make up the 69 per cent other forms of revenue sources.
The City’s utilities and airport have no taxation impact as they are self-funded through user fees and charges.
For more information about the City’s budget process and to watch the A look at the City’s budget video, visit kelowna.ca/budget.
Please consider going paperless for this large document by viewing it online, instead of printing it.
You can also review the Budget Connect factsheet for insights into the proposed 2020 budget.
On budget deliberation day, Thursday, Dec. 12, follow the discussion on Twitter with the hashtag #KelownaBudget or listen live via Castanet Council.
Budget quick-facts:
- Proposed overall taxation demand increase impact to taxpayers is 3.9 per cent
- 2.08 per cent is the proposed general municipal tax rate increase
- 1.82 per cent is the proposed infrastructure levy
- The Financial Plan, as presented, would result in an $81 ($6.75 per month) increase for the average single-detached home in Kelowna
- There are 261 Priority 1 requests included
- There are 47 new positions requested, 42 are full-time.
- Provisional 2020 Budget net taxation demand totals $151 million.
- This is an $8.46 million increase over last year.
- Capital investment (general fund, not including Airport and Utilities): $68.8 million ($14.6 million funded from taxation)
- 27 per cent renew
- 46 per cent growth
- 27 per cent new
- Operating requests: $8.2 million General Fund ($4 million funded from taxation)
- 60 per cent renew
- 21 per cent growth
- 19 per cent new