The 2019 Kelowna budget is done. City council reviewed and approved the proposal at an all day meeting yesterday.
Kelowna property owners will pay an extra 4.43 percent and that includes 1.95 percent in a new infrastructure levy.
City Manager Doug Gilchrist says, "The infrastructure levy will be used for roads, parks and buidlings. We have a deficit in that area so the levy will help us make sure that infrastructure upgrades and projects are delivered."Infrastructure was the longest debate.
The largest budget item is the 28.4 million for transportation improvements. Notable projects approved by Council include the South Perimeter Road & Gordon Drive extensions and the Sutherland Ave. & Ethel St Active Transportation Corridors.
Here are some of the other budget hilites.
-6 new RCMP officers, 8 new firefighters & 2 Bylaw officers.
-$75K for downtown cleaning programs, $35K for more street sweeping, $16K to increase the sharps collection program & $30K for transit security at the Queensway Exchange.
-To help mitigate the impacts of flooding, Council’s approved $1.5M in storm drainage improvements.