Skip to content

West Kelowna residents could see a 3% tax increase

A three per cent increase could be on the horizon for home owners
14736644_web1_180625-KCN-West-Kelowna-Council
(from left) West Kelowna Council, Jayson Zilkie, Gord Milsom, Jason Friesen, Carol Zanon, Stephen Johnston and Rick de Jong photo: contributed Contributed

Home owners in West Kelowna should expect an increase in taxes next year.

The provisional 2019 city budget will go to council this afternoon and shows the projected increase to be three per cent.

However, city administrator Jim Zaffino is also asking council to consider to different tax increases, one to four per cent and one to five. The increase would allow fir the city to prepare for major infrastructure upgrades, sidewalks, parks and roads.

RELATED: West Kelowna council to be presented with new Community Wildfire Protection Plan

“While other municipalities had years to prepare for major infrastructure upgrades, West Kelowna is turning 11 years old and has a lot of catching up to do,” said Zaffino in the report. “It is important to note that the majority of infrastructure in West Kelowna is older then 1979.”

RELATED: West Kelowna steps up efforts for urgent care centre

West Kelowna is expected to generate $32 million. Raising the tax to four per cent would net an extra $327,080 per year and a five per cent increase would result in increasing reserves by $6.5 million over ten years.

Council will review the 2019 budget Dec. 11 and will be revisited on Jan 15.

To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com
.


@KelownaCapNews
newstips@kelownacapnews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.