Proposed 4.34% tax increase remains among the lowest in the province
Kelowna City Council is set to review the final 2025 budget during their regular meeting on Monday, April 28. If approved, the proposed tax increase of 4.34% is anticipated to be one of the lowest in British Columbia.
Doug Gilchrist, City Manager, emphasized the city’s dedication to maintaining stable and competitive tax rates. The service-based budgeting model in use aligns expenditures with service outcomes, allowing residents to observe the direct benefits of investments made in essential services, community programs, and infrastructure projects.
This will be the second year that Kelowna has structured its budget based on services rather than city departments, facilitating better financial transparency. The budget highlights alignments with 2023-2026 Council priorities and the city’s growth strategies.
For 2025, numerous projects are contingent upon various funding sources. Property taxes, covering less than a quarter of the $908 million budget, are supplemented by user fees, utility charges, developer contributions, grants, and reserves.
The average residential property in Kelowna will see a monthly increase of $8.98 in their tax bill, amounting to an annual rise of $107.79, helping to support these initiatives.
Melanie Antunes, Financial Planning Manager, reiterated the city’s focus on stabilizing taxes and aligning spending with service priorities. In 2025, $3 million was reallocated to critical areas, with ongoing efforts to identify additional revenue streams and partnerships to mitigate taxpayer burdens.
Once the Council ratifies the final budget, the preparation of property tax bills will commence, aiming for release by May 15. Homeowners must settle their taxes and claim the provincial Home Owner Grant by July 2 to avoid penalties.
Residents receiving bills by mail should be aware of a potential Canada Post disruption in May. To circumvent mail delays, the city encourages signing up for eBilling through billing.kelowna.ca to manage bills efficiently.
Detailed 2025 budget information is available on kelowna.ca/budget, and live updates on budget discussions can be viewed at kelowna.ca/council.