The new District of West Kelowna
Over the past four years we have made great progress in establishing a firm foundation for West Kelowna. Together we have built financial reserves which will total over $20 million by the end of 2011, far in excess of the $15 million estimated in the incorporation study.
We have kept tax increases in the range of 2 to 3%, better than study estimates, while at the same time taking on responsibility for services such as policing and transit earlier than predicted.
Over the past three years we have undertaken a major project to provide sewer service to nearly 1500 homes in West Kelowna with significant senior government financial support which will bring the cost per homeowner down to close to the same amount as earlier phases completed under the Regional District.
In 2010 the District’s new RCMP Headquarters was completed, on time and under the original budget, taken over from the Regional District at the time of incorporation, by $1,000,000.
Over the next three years I plan 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
- Provision of high quality municipal services in a cost effective manner
- Preservation and celebration of our history – all those things that make our community such a great place to live
