Special council meeting highlights – Jan. 19

Highlights from the West Kelowna council meeting of Jan. 19

Agricultural Advisory members appointed

Council appointed Jan Bath, Philip Gyug, Geoffery Oliver, Serina Penner, Anton Schori and Nikko Shankman to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for four-year terms beginning January 2021 and ending December 2024. The committee’s roles are to promote and enhance agriculture, provide advice to council on agricultural matters and act as a liaison between the city and the agri-business community.

Proposed 2021 tax increase

Committee

In response to council’s direction, staff brought forward reductions and operational efficiencies in the 2021 provisional financial plan. A decrease in the proposed 2021 tax rate was approved from 4.75 per cent to 4.05 per cent which includes a new 1% infrastructure tax to accelerate road and active transportation and drainage improvements valued at $40.8 million throughout the city. Investment in infrastructure will include improvements to sidewalks, cycling lanes and intersection improvements at Stevens/Bartley/Shannon Lake Roads and Gellatly and Carrington Roads. Cash grants in aid were also approved totaling $114,325 to 21 not-for-profit groups who provide services in the community. Council approved in-kind grants in aid of $314,807 to reduce facility, field and rink rental fees for a dozen West Kelowna youth sports organizations and community service clubs. Visit westkelownacity.ca/budget for more information.

Budget consultations begin in February The annual public engagement on the 2021 -25 financial plan will occur online in February prior to council’s final adoption of the 2021 budget this spring. Sign up for e-updates and get involved at westkelownacity.ca/subscribe.