A new, comprehensive document will guide future decision making regarding West Kelowna’s waterfront for the next 50 years.

The Waterfront Plan provides recommendations for preserving, developing and enhancing the lakefront, making it an active and attractive destination for residents and visitors. The plan will assist the municipality in [...]]]> News Release
Council Adopts First Waterfront Plan

A new, comprehensive document will guide future decision making regarding West Kelowna’s waterfront for the next 50 years.

The Waterfront Plan provides recommendations for preserving, developing and enhancing the lakefront, making it an active and attractive destination for residents and visitors. The plan will assist the municipality in setting policies and identify affordable projects that can be undertaken in the short (over the next five years), medium (five to 10 years) and long (11+ years) terms.

Mayor Doug Findlater said Council is pleased to add the Waterfront Plan to a chest of valuable tools that is available to guide growth in the District of West Kelowna. The Waterfront Plan is the fourth major planning document that Council has adopted this year, in addition to the Westbank Centre Plan, Official Community Plan and Agricultural Plan.

“The Waterfront Plan shows us a way forward in developing our waterfront into a place where residents and visitors are drawn to, for rest and relaxation, events, and recreation,” said Findlater. “The plan contains many excellent recommendations that Council will be able to consider in the near future, some as early as next year.”

The plan recommends 22 short term recommendations that Council can consider implementing between now and 2016, including:

Mayor Findlater said West Kelowna won’t be able to tackle everything all at once and some of the improvements may depend on the rate of economic turnaround.

“When the economy improves, and inevitably it will, some of the developments proposed for our waterfront will be back on the table. The Waterfront plan ensures we’re ready to work with development community on these improvements. In the meantime, this document also provides recommendations that the municipality can take action on, and seek funding partnerships on, with other levels of government.”

Medium and long term recommendations include:

The 163-page Waterfront Plan and its appendices and maps can be viewed online at
www.districtofwestkelowna.ca under Departments/Planning/Waterfront Plan.

Media Contacts:
Doug Findlater, Mayor  District of West Kelowna
Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor  District of West Kelowna

by Castanet Staff – Story: 64483 

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe. West Kelowna's new children`s spray park opend for it's first test run on Saturday.

With plenty of hot summer weather still in the forecast for the Central Okanagan, Westside residents are invited to stay cool by testing out [...]]]>

New water park makes a splash

by Castanet Staff – Story: 64483 

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe. West Kelowna's new children`s spray park opend for it's first test run on Saturday.

With plenty of hot summer weather still in the forecast for the Central Okanagan, Westside residents are invited to stay cool by testing out the new children`s spray park.

“We’re opening the park for a couple weeks, trying out the new systems and ensuring all is in good working order,” says Mayor Doug Findlater. “We wanted to give kids a chance to try out the new park this year, but will hold a much larger community celebration opening in the Spring.”

The Westbank Town Centre Park is located at 2569 May Street but accessed off Hebert Road.

The final touches on landscaping and walkways are still being done, but the state-of-the-art spray park is ready for the kids and will stay open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the weather turns colder.

The community project cost $328,000 with $248,445 provided by the Rotary Club of Westbank, $40,000 contributed in in-kind work and $79,555 contributed by the District of West Kelowna.

Key funding partners with the Rotary Club of Westbank were Okanagan Kids Care and Westbank First Nation.

“I can’t thank the Rotary Club of Westbank and all funding partners and volunteers enough for persevering on this terrific community project,” says Mayor Findlater.

“Their tenacity and hard work has paid off and the families of West Kelowna and our visitors will appreciate their efforts for a long time to come.”

The project features a flower-shaped pad with approximately 20 spray features that turn on when motion is sensed.

The Park also includes a community garden, off-leash dog park, an open manicured field and ample parking.

West Kelowna, BC, September 7, 2011 – West Kelowna Councillor Duane Ophus has today formally announced his intention to seek a third term in the upcoming municipal election on November 19, 2011.

Duane has lived in West Kelowna for over sixteen years during which [...]]]> Ophus running for another term on District of West Kelowna Council

West Kelowna, BC, September 7, 2011 – West Kelowna Councillor Duane Ophus has today formally announced his intention to seek a third term in the upcoming municipal election on November 19, 2011.

Duane has lived in West Kelowna for over sixteen years during which time he has continuously operated a successful business in Westbank Towne Centre Mall with his wife Elaine. Together they raised a family in West Kelowna, living for many years in Shannon Lake and for the past seven years in Lakeview Heights.

He has served on Council for all four years since incorporation and for the past three years as a West Kelowna Director on the Regional District of Central Okanagan board. Duane brings his strong analytical and financial management skills to Council, engages in spirited debate and works towards developing a consensus in the community and at the Council table.

“I have enjoyed serving our community over the past four years; Council and staff have made good progress in putting our new community on a firm financial foundation, delivering some major new infrastructure projects and providing a high level of day-to-day services to residents. I would be honoured to have the opportunity to continue to build on this success”, says Ophus.

Over the next three years Ophus plans to focus on:

• Implementation of our Economic Development Plan to strengthen our tax base and increase revenues to moderate future tax burdens
• Implementation of the initiatives in our new Official Community Plan, Westbank Centre Plan, Parks and Recreation Plan and others to make West Kelowna an even better place to live, work and play
• Complete the Transportation and Water System Master Plans to ensure a solid foundation for future delivery of these essential services in a cost-effective manner
• Continued delivery of strategic infrastructure improvements, including sewer service, roads, sidewalks and community facilities
• Protect the natural environment and encourage parks, waterfront amenities and trails for all of the public to access and enjoy
• Continuing to lobby the Provincial Government for appropriate health care services in our community, action on the Westbank couplet and equitable treatment in all infrastructure development

“I want to use my 35 years of business experience, my four years on Council and three years as one of West Kelowna’s Directors on the Regional District of Central Okanagan Board to continue working, building on the firm foundation we have established since incorporation, to deliver on the priorities of West Kelowna residents”, says Ophus.

Ophus looks forward to hearing from West Kelowna citizens and would be pleased to continue to serve them with integrity and foresight. If you would like to contact him please call 250-801-3834 or e-mail dophus@shaw.ca.

Contact Duane Ophus for more information

A new action oriented plan, that has received widespread input from developers, business owners, stakeholders and the public will provide new guidelines to encourage growth in the Westbank Centre.

Council adopted the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan at its meeting on August 16, 2011 and [...]]]> News Release
New Plan Leads the Way to Westbank Centre Revitalization 

A new action oriented plan, that has received widespread input from developers, business owners, stakeholders and the public will provide new guidelines to encourage growth in the Westbank Centre.

Council adopted the Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan at its meeting on August 16, 2011 and Mayor Doug Findlater said the District of West Kelowna will soon shift its focus to implementing recommendations in the plan.

“Council placed a high priority on the creation of a plan for Westbank Centre that would include realistically achievable actions to kick start vitalization and demonstrate the tremendous value the municipality places on the Westbank area – the commercial core of West Kelowna.”

The plan outlines actions that the municipality, the business community and developers can take, individually and collectively over the next 25 years, to create a vibrant urban and commercial centre.

“Council’s endorsement of this plan marks the end of a lengthy but worthwhile journey, spearheaded by District staff and consultants, complete with key feedback from residents, the business and development communities and partner groups and agencies,” said Findlater. “The result is a valuable and viable blueprint that will lead the way to Westbank Centre renewal.”

Findlater said Council will work with staff to determine which action items should be addressed within the next year. The District of West Kelowna has set aside $250,000 in the 2011 Budget for Westbank Centre improvements.

“I recognize we’re in a flat economy and that is going to create challenges to make this happen; but we are budgeting to kick start the vitalization process. This plan has all the elements needed to attract partnerships with other players, namely the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, developers and the business community.”

A key recommendation in the plan is the proposed creation of a Business Improvement Area to encourage discussion and form partnerships with the local business community in order to move the plan forward.

Major transportation components of the plan include development of a transit exchange and the reconfiguration of the Highway 97 couplet. The plan proposes that the municipality work with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to convert Dobbin Road – Highway 97 northbound – into a two-way corridor so that Main Street can be transformed into a more pedestrian friendly, two-way local street.

Other core components of the plan include new design guidelines; phased, strategic public investments to encourage private development; consideration of six-storey building heights; enhancements to Westbank’s cultural and heritage assets; and, preservation of agricultural operations.

To view the plan, visit www.districtofwestkelowna.ca. Go to Departments/Planning/Westbank Centre Revitalization Plan.

Media Contacts:
Mayor Doug Findlater, District of West Kelowna
Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor

The District of West Kelowna’s $101.5 million 2011 Budget and the municipality’s 2011-2015 Financial Plan were adopted April 26. The municipal portion of this year’s budget contains more than $80.3 million in revenues and matching expenditures. The remaining $21.2 million is collected and transferred to other levels of [...]]]> News Release
Council Adopts 2011-2015 Financial Plan 

The District of West Kelowna’s $101.5 million 2011 Budget and the municipality’s 2011-2015 Financial Plan were adopted April 26. The municipal portion of this year’s budget contains more than $80.3 million in revenues and matching expenditures. The remaining $21.2 million is collected and transferred to other levels of government.

Mayor Doug Findlater said the 2011 Budget includes key capital works. Most notably, West Kelowna will complete millions of dollars worth of sanitary sewer service extensions, and road upgrades and rehabilitation.

“Some of the municipality’s older neighbourhoods have homes with failing septic systems and one of Council’s highest priorities since 2009 has been to ensure that sanitary sewer service was extended to those areas,” said Findlater. “Last year, sewers were extended to 500 homes in the Gates/McGinnis neighbourhoods in Glenrosa; Pineridge Place in Westbank and the Hudson Road area of Lakeview Heights. Work that began in 2009 in the Ranch Road/Country Pines area of Glenrosa was also completed in 2010. This year, sewers will be extended to 450 homes around Thacker and Hayman Roads in Lakeview Heights and Dunbarton Road in Glenrosa. In 2012 sewer extensions will reach Webber Road North and McIver Road in Glenrosa as well as Boucherie Road North and Applegreen Court and Cameron Road in Lakeview Heights. ”

Findlater also noted that a Citizens’ Survey conducted in the fall indicated road upgrades remained a top priority. Council responded by supporting $1.25 million in road rehabilitation work throughout West Kelowna in 2011. A further $1.25 million worth of upgrades will begin on extending the popular Gellatly Recreational Corridor later this spring, the Mayor stated.

“For the third straight year our residents told us they wanted to see our aging roads upgraded. And for the third year in a row, Council is committing more than one million dollars towards improving this important infrastructure.”

This year’s budget includes a 2.24 per cent tax increase, which Council was able to reduce from an originally forecast 4.07 per cent. Findlater credited staff for finding operational efficiencies in the transit system that would reduce costs without impacting service. This year qualified homeowners are eligible for a Homeowner Grant $200 greater than in prior years. The municipal portion of property taxes on an average West Kelowna home, assessed at $475,000, will be $1,423.65 in 2011—an increase of $31.19 over 2010. The increase is necessary to bolster the new municipality’s reserves. By the end of 2011, the District of West Kelowna will have $20.4 million in reserves. By 2015, reserves are forecast to be $32.2 million.

“A Westside Governance Study recommended tax increases of five per cent annually for the first five years of incorporation, to ensure West Kelowna started off on good financial footing. Council and staff have worked together to build reserves while keeping tax increases to less than three per cent in each of the past three budget years.”

For more information on the District of West Kelowna’s 2011 Budget and 2011 to 2015 Financial Plan, go to www.districtofwestkelowna.ca, under Departments/Finance/Budget.

Media Contacts:
Mayor Doug Findlater, District of West Kelowna
Jim Zaffino, Chief Financial Officer
Kirsten Jones, Communications Supervisor

BACKGROUND

Details of the 2011-2015 Financial Plan and 2011 Budget are as follows:

Total Revenues: The total municipal tax requisition in 2011 is $22.3 million; this represents 22 per cent of the District’s total revenue. The other 78 per cent of revenues consist of:

• $24 million, or 24 per cent, from sale of municipal services
• $21.2 million, or 21 per cent, collected for other levels of government
• $11 million, or 11 per cent, from grants from senior government
• $ 9.9 million, or 10 per cent, from borrowing (sewer extensions)
• $7.7 million, or seven per cent, from miscellaneous revenue
• $3 million, or three per cent, transferred from reserves
• $2.3 million, or two per cent, from transfers from senior government

Reserves: $7.6 million will be put in reserves in 2011 bringing total reserves to $20.4 million by the end of the year. Reserves are forecast to be $32.2 million at the end of 2015.

Capital Budget: Council supports $4 million in capital projects this year, including:

• Sanitary sewer service extensions: $18.8 million
• Gellatly Road upgrades from Powers Creek going north: $1.25 million
• Road rehabilitation: $1.25 million
• HVAC installation at Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre: $195,000
• HVAC equipment for the new Westbank Museum building: $65,000
• Pedestrian walkways: $250,000

Supplemental Requests: Services will be added or improved in the following areas:

• Support new Bylaw Adjudication process
• Increase contingency fund for Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre
• Develop a sustainable asset management strategy

Three additional, permanent, full time staff will be hired:

• Facility Operator o Irrigation Systems Specialist
• Land Agent and Intergovernmental Liaison Officer
• Summer students will also be hired in some departments, accounting for a total of three FTEs (full time equivalent positions)

The supplemental requests break down as follows:

• $331,513 in the 2011 tax year
• $470,697 in the 2012 tax year
• $289,075 in the 2013 tax year
• $248,673 in the 2014 tax year
• $208,138 in the 2015 tax year

Tax Multiplier Adjustments: The Utilities Multiplier will increase from 6 to 7, meaning a utility pays $7 in municipal taxes for every $1 a residential property owner pays. The Light Industry Multiplier will decrease from 3 to 2.8. The rates are similar to those in nearby municipalities.

Grants In Aid: Council supports requests for financial assistance from the following nonprofit organizations:

• Bridge Youth and Family Services: $3,000
• Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society: $2,000
• Okanagan Boys’ and Girls’ Club Restorative Justice: $3,500
• West Kelowna Citizens Patrol Society: $5,000
• West Kelowna Yacht Club: $5,000
• Westside Canadian Red Cross: $11,700
• Westside Celebration Society (Westside Daze): $16,000
• Westside Health Network Society: $7,000
• Westside Parent Participation Preschool: $1,000
• Westside Residents and Business Association: $600
• Okanagan Symphony Orchestra: $5,000 (from Council’s 2010 Contingency Fund)

Non-cash Grants In Aid: Facility rental fees will be waived for these nonprofit organizations:

• Emergency Social Services: $205
• Girl Guides of Canada: $672
• Lakeview Heights Thursday Nighters’ AA Group: $1,000
• Mount Boucherie Figure Skating Club: $41,000
• Royal Canadian Legion (Remembrance Day Ceremonies): $1,600
• Westside Girls’ Softball: $400
• Westside Minor Baseball: $5,400
• Westside Minor Football: $800
• Westside Minor Hockey: $142,400
• Westside Ringette: $26,200
• Westside Youth Soccer: $1,200

Council Remuneration: Council’s remuneration will remain the same in 2011 as it was in 2010. Council’s Remuneration and Expenses Provisions Policy suggests remuneration be reviewed in January each year using the median salaries of Mayors and Councillors in a comparative group of municipalities. The review indicated salaries should increase for West Kelowna Mayor and Council but Council waived the policy and declined a raise in 2011.

At a special public meeting today, the Regional Board adopted the Five-Year Financial Plan for 2011 – 2015.  It’s projected in 2011 that the operating budget will total more than $58.3-million compared with $56.2-million during 2010.

Chair Robert Hobson says, “The Regional Board recognizes the pressures many [...]]]> Regional Board Approves 2011 – 2015 Financial Plan

At a special public meeting today, the Regional Board adopted the Five-Year Financial Plan for 2011 – 2015.  It’s projected in 2011 that the operating budget will total more than $58.3-million compared with $56.2-million during 2010.

Chair Robert Hobson says, “The Regional Board recognizes the pressures many Central Okanagan residents are facing during the economic recovery, yet is balancing that with the ever-present demand for increased services.  Many people know we provide high profile services across the Central Okanagan such as 9-1-1, Dog Control, our 29 Regional Parks, the Regional Waste Reduction Office and the Economic Development Commission.  However, the Regional District offers more than 83 services in total including Air Quality, Crime Prevention, Victim Services, Crime Stoppers, Transit and Transportation Demand Management.  We also provide specific local government services to the electoral areas like planning, building inspections, four paid-on call fire departments and we maintain and operate five water systems for more than 1,200 customers. As a result, the Regional District has and will continue to play an important role for all citizens of the Central Okanagan.”

Hobson adds, “Taxpayers across the region will see almost $34-million in Capital Projects this year including $13-million in park land acquisitions, the $9.6-million expansion of the Westside Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, $6.2-million for a new water system for the un-serviced Upper Fintry, Shalal Road and Valley of the Sun subdivisions, along with four new fire vehicles and a new fire boat/mobile marine water supply vessel.”

For Land and Improvements, the following Base Tax Rates generally reflect the impact of the 2010 – 2015 Financial Plan on a home in each of the following areas assessed at $446,000 ($440,000 in 2010):

The actual tax rate varies from neighbourhood to neighbourhood and municipality, depending on the local services provided by the Regional District.

Hobson says, “While keeping the tax rates less than the 2010 BC average Consumer Price Index increase of 1.3 per cent in five areas, the Regional Board has also been able to boost transfers to reserves and capital projects by just over 23 per cent”

The total of the 2011 RDCO Operating Budget is $58.3-million:

• 46.62% is Operating Expenses
• 45.24% is Debt, including Municipal Finance Authority payments
• 8.14% is Transfers to Capital and Reserves

The general increase in the requisition from member municipalities reflects the requested funding needs for the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Regional Rescue Program and Regional Parks services.

The general decreases in requisitions for Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area property owners results from a reduction in costs for Electoral Area Planning, Building Inspection and Regional Planning.

The Financial Plan also outlines proposed operating budgets for the following four years:  In 2012 – $60-million, in 2013 – $58.6-million, in 2014 – $58.8-million and in 2015 – $59.5- million.

The Regional Board also adopted the Five-Year Financial Plan for the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District (CORHD).   Ratepayers within the Hospital District contribute 40% of the funds for approved health service and equipment services.  Hobson says, “This is one area of the budget people support as they see the benefit of ensuring we have excellent health facilities.  The Financial Plan outlines revenue and spending of more than $13.9-million during 2011 including $6.2-million towards debt payments and financing for the new Ambulatory Care Building (the CORHD share totals $99.3-million for the project), the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre and the new Clinical Support Building (the Hospital District share of the project totals $91.3-million).”   The owner of a home assessed at $446,000 in 2011 will contribute $144.50 towards health equipment and capital improvements, an increase of $7.28 from last year.

Central Okanagan property owners that meet the basic requirements of the Provincial Homeowner and/or additional grants are eligible for the new Provincial Government Northern and Rural Area Homeowner benefit of $200.  Information will be available on your Property Tax Notice or you can visit the Ministry of Finance website:

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Home_Owner_Grant/hog.htm

Some property owners may qualify for assistance through the BC Property Tax Deferment Program.  Information about this program and who qualifies is available on the BC Government website:

www.sbr.gov.bc.ca/individuals/Property_Taxes/Property_Tax_Deferment/ptd.htm

Contact:
Bruce Smith, Communications Coordinator
250-469-6339

Couns. Duane Ophus and Rosalind Neis watch as Joey Severn (right) points out his favourite place on the West Kelowna waterfront, during an open house held by the district at The Cove Lakeside Resort on Mar. 2. The public consultation is part of the ongoing work around the district [...]]]> West Kelowna waterfront strategy unveiled

Couns. Duane Ophus and Rosalind Neis watch as Joey Severn (right) points out his favourite place on the West Kelowna waterfront, during an open house held by the district at The Cove Lakeside Resort on Mar. 2. The public consultation is part of the ongoing work around the district of West Kelowna’s waterfront master plan.

Mike Simmons/Capital News

March 05, 2011 12:00 PM

The need for an overall strategy is apparent as West Kelowna continues to create a plan that will balance development, recreation and ecology for the future of the waterfront.

Consultants and the district sought public opinion on various aspects of the waterfront master plan at an open house earlier this week.
The strategy for the waterfront addresses potential future development, environmental challenges and uses for the 26 road-end waterfront accesses currently owned by the district of West Kelowna, among other issues.
Ecological challenges include retaining the few remaining natural areas and being cautious of areas needed for spawning by fish species.

Close to 71 per cent of the West Kelowna shoreline has already been modified, with Goat’s Peak and Kalamoir Regional Park the only sections that remain close to their natural state.

Several options are available for the use of the road-end properties, and the public is being polled for opinions. If the water access properties are to come under development for further public use, the concepts presented range from small parks heavy on greenery and landscaping to a more developed plot with ample parking.

Another possibility being considered is the potential sale of some of the properties, with the goal of acquiring other waterfront-area land using the sale proceeds.

Like other parts of the district, the waterfront faces development pressures.

The waterfront plan identifies the potential for one or more mixed-use waterfront villages, containing residential and commercial properties. It points to a strong market demand for phasing in such developments in increments two or three blocks wide.

West Kelowna planning manager Nancy Henderson said the district will be taking what is learned at the open house and moving forward, with the aim of completing the plan around June of this year.

The strategy, along with the many other plans being completed, will help serve as a guide for the decisions of present and future councils.

Some extra money has been found to off-set tax increases in the District of West Kelowna this year, keeping a little extra money in the pockets of property owners. Just over $243,000 was remaining in West Kelowna’s budget last year because some one-time projects were not [...]]]> DWK Budget
By Jason Luciw – Kelowna Capital News

Some extra money has been found to off-set tax increases in the District of West Kelowna this year, keeping a little extra money in the pockets of property owners.
Just over $243,000 was remaining in West Kelowna’s budget last year because some one-time projects were not undertaken. The municipality was also able to find “efficiencies” in some of its departments, said chief financial officer Jim Zaffino.
Council had three options for spending the extra cash, Zaffino stated.
One would be to increase a contingency fund from $330,000 to $574,00. Another option would be to add the funds to build reserve accounts. The third would be to reduce the municipality’s 2010 property tax increase, which was forecast to be five per cent going into Monday afternoon’s budget deliberations.
By applying the $243,000 toward the 2010 budget, the tax hike would then go from the projected five per cent to an increase of 3.8 per cent, said Zaffino.
Based on an average home in West Kelowna, assessed at $492,000, taxes would then go up $51 this year, instead of the $67 increase expected under the five per cent scenario, a difference of $16.
Council voted unanimously to use the $243,000 to offset taxes.
Coun. Duane Ophus said council had gone through the budget with a “fine tooth comb,” and could afford to reduce the tax burden for residents this year.
“When we find that we’ve got $234,000 at the end of the day that has not been allocated to a necessary expenditure (then) we should be, in the current economic climate, doing our very best to minimize the tax increases that have to be passed on to the residents in the district,” Ophus commented.
Mayor Doug Findlater noted that he was never keen on the five per cent tax increase to begin with. However, during a preliminary budget meeting back in December, the remainder of council defeated the mayor’s motion, which asked staff to come back with a budget scenario using a three per cent tax increase.
“Being someone who advocated three per cent at one point, I’m very happy to see it move in that direction,” said Findlater.
Meanwhile, after the meeting media asked Zaffino why council would need a $330,000 contingency fund again in 2010, noting that council had only used $1,500 from the discretionary account in 2009.
Media questioned why council couldn’t take additional money from the seemingly large contingency fund to reduce tax increases even further in 2010.
“Just because it was not needed last year doesn’t mean it won’t be needed in 2010. It’s an insurance policy,” Zaffino responded.
In a new municipality a $330,000 contingency is not unusually high because a newly incorporated community would tend to have more “unknowns” to deal with, said Zaffino.

West Kelowna Council provided its taxpayers with an early Christmas present Monday. During 2010 tax deliberations, council unanimously agreed to return $234,000, earmarked as discretionary council spending, back to the taxpayers in the form of a tax break.

This means that instead of the [...]]]> DWK reduces taxes by more than 1%
by Wayne Moore (Castanet)

West Kelowna Council provided its taxpayers with an early Christmas present Monday.
During 2010 tax deliberations, council unanimously agreed to return $234,000, earmarked as discretionary council spending, back to the taxpayers in the form of a tax break.

This means that instead of the forecast 5% tax increase in 2010, taxpayers will see an increase in the range of about 3.8%.

“We need to do this,” says Councillor Duane Ophus.

“The $234,000 has not been allocated so it should be used to reduce taxes.”

West Kelowna CFO, Jim Zaffino, says the $234,000 came through efficiencies.

“Some departments did not ask for and did not need as much money as they needed in prior years. They do different things in different ways,” says Zaffino.

“Also, it came from one time requests in 2009 that did not carry forward because the job was done and there was no need for that. Council was able to look at the discretionary fund and fund the supplemental requests.”

Council still has a reserve of $330,000 for discretionary spending in the bank which has been carried over from 2009.

Last year, council only spent about $1,500 in discretionary spending.

Zaffino says the current amount of discretionary funds would be considered a lot for an established community but not a lot for a new municipality such as West Kelowna.

He says the municipality is evolving from a rural area to an urban community, and that requires money.

“There are more unknowns that can happen and there are more requests so council can use that in a number of way. They talked about an economic development plan. There is a lot more that has to be done to get us up to speed.”

Council spent close to seven hours debating the financial plan, which will require about $21.7 million from taxation.

Total expenses for 2010 are expected to be about $62.2 million, down about $200,000 from 2009.

Council approved a little more than $4.2 million in capital expenditures along with nearly $90,000 in grants-in-aid to various community groups.

Changes can still be made to the 2010 budget before the document must be submitted to the province by the middle of May.

The District of Westside is proposing a conservative 2008 budget.

Following budget deliberations Thursday morning, Westside Council approved a tentative budget with a tax increase of slightly less than 5.4%.

A little less than 3% of that increase ($450,000) will go straight into reserves to help lessen the [...]]]> Westside proposes conservative budget
by Wayne Moore

The District of Westside is proposing a conservative 2008 budget.

Following budget deliberations Thursday morning, Westside Council approved a tentative budget with a tax increase of slightly less than 5.4%.

A little less than 3% of that increase ($450,000) will go straight into reserves to help lessen the burden on taxpayers when provincial start-up contributions end in 2013.

The balance of the increase, 2.4%, will pay for renovations to the Lakeview Heights Fire Hall to accommodate the new ladder truck and three additional firefighters who will be hired in July.

The increase, if approved May 13, would mean a tax increase of approximately $51 for the owner of a typical $400,000 home.

Much of Thursday’s discussion centered around how much of a tax increase should be levied each year to go directly into reserves over the next five taxation years.

Westside Chief Financial Officer, Jim Zaffino, laid out a number of options, ranging from yearly tax increases of 5.25% to 20% yearly to go directly into reserves through 2012.

The original baseline budget allowed for slightly more than $17 million to go into reserves over the next five years.

The funds were derived from provincial restructuring funds ($7.125 million), traffic fine revenues $1.2 million), provincial rural taxation transfers $1.2 million), federal gas tax funding $4.3 million), Regional District reserve transfers ($1.4 million) and other transfers to reserves ($1.9 million).

Zaffino favoured a formula where residents would be taxed 12% annually over the next five years, which would have added another $11 million in reserves.

According to Zaffino, this would allow Westside to use those reserves for a five year period starting in 2013 to reduce the policing impact by almost $2.8 million and still have close to $13 million in reserve for other projects.

“I was leaning towards option three (12% tax increase), because it would lessen the impact for the RCMP,” says Zaffino.

“The reason I was using the higher percentages was so that some of that money would be put away for future expenditures to soften the impact for the RCMP amount.”

Councillor, Duane Ophus, moved that Council approve a tax increase of just $450,000 for each of the next five years, slightly less than 3%, which would increase reserves to nearly $20 million.

Ophus says he believes $20 million in reserve is more than adequate for a community the size of Westside.

“You have to remember that we were forced to take a lot of these expense figures, because basically we inherited the budget from the Regional District,” says Ophus.

“We will be looking in detail at how much it costs to run the municipality, and I think there will be some significant savings starting in 2009.”

Ophus says 560 new homes have been added to the tax rolls in 2008 and all of the new construction in the municipality will add more revenues over the next several years.

“The revenues will be higher, the expenses will be lower. You have to be realistic about how much you can expect today’s taxpayer to pay for expenses that won’t be incurred until 2013? If we can save all of the provincial contribution funding, which we’re basically doing for five year, how much more money do we need?”

Mayor, Rosalind Neis, who favoured a 9% tax increase in each of the next five years, says Council approved what she called a re-election budget.

“To be honest, absolutely. I believe it’s better to have something in your back pocket than to suddenly say, oh, we didn’t anticipate this, we’re stuck now what are we going to do?,” says Neis.

She adds what Council has proposed is a safe budget.

Neis says she believes if taxpayers know where the money is going, they will accept a tax increase.

“I’m in that middle-of-the-road tax bracket and I don’t want my taxes to go up either, but at the same time, I think most taxpayers won’t begrudge an increase if they know what it is going towards. What services exactly are their taxes being applied to. If they understand that it’s going in the bank for safe keeping, that we can apply it to increased sidewalks and more protective services, they might say I’m okay with that.”

Ophus says in no way is this a re-election budget, saying he has no problem with the decision he has made and expects to be held accountable for them.

He adds he will continue to analyze the number between now and May 13, when the final budget must be adopted.

“I will take into consideration Mr. Zaffino’s suggestions and recommendations and if to make some adjustments we will make them. I very strongly believe in having a conservatively managed and conservatively financed municipality and that’s what we’re going to have.”

Meantime, Council also approved $26,500 worth of grants-in-aid. These include:
• Westside Citizens on Patrol – $4,000
• Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society – $2,000
• Westbank Museum Society – $10,000
• Canadian Red Cross – $5,000
• Westside Celebration Society – $5,000
• Arts Westside – $500 (subject to non-profit society verification).

Council also deferred a $20,000 request from the Westside Community Food Bank Society until it hears a presentation from a delegation of the food bank.

Changes can still be made to the budget before it is brought forward for first three readings May 6.