Most of Kelowna council supported the 2025 budget, which includes a 4.34 per cent property tax increase.

Council and staff spent Thursday deliberating the budget and its implications for residents, reducing the tax increase slightly from 4.36 per cent.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 proud of the staff and all of us coming together to come up with a number that I think is supportable in the general public,91裸聊视频� said Councillor Luke Stack.

The 2025 budget includes funding for seven new RCMP officers and four firefighters. Councillor Maxine DeHart praised the budget, noting it addressed council91裸聊视频檚 priorities.

91裸聊视频淭he crime and safety for sure, affordable housing, homelessness, agriculture, climate change, and environment," said DeHart.

Councillor Mohini Singh called the budget a 91裸聊视频減eople91裸聊视频檚 budget."

 91裸聊视频淭here is something in this for everybody91裸聊视频攕omething that improves and impacts their lives.91裸聊视频�

However, not everyone was in favour. Councillor Ron Cannan voted against the budget, citing concerns about its impact on residents.

91裸聊视频淔or a lot of people, this has been a tough year,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 believe that we as elected officials need to be cognizant that we can91裸聊视频檛 raise property taxes that are double the cost of living.91裸聊视频�

Mayor Tom Dyas countered, pointing out the unique challenges the city faces.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e not dealing with the consumer price index,91裸聊视频� he explained. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e buying concrete, steel, and machinery--everything which has an inflation rate on it of six or seven per cent.91裸聊视频�

Councillor Loyal Wooldridge pointed out that only 25 per cent of the city91裸聊视频檚 $839 million budget is funded by taxation. 91裸聊视频淭he rest has been funded by development, grants from senior levels of government, and savings that past councils have made," he said.

Councillor Rick Webber noted that the city is likely to experience a period of intense development and growth to keep pace with population growth. "I think we're doing everything that most residents want us to do," he said. "Improve road networks, parks, recreation facilities and we're doing it with the smallest tax increase in the province."

Councillor Gord Lovegrove also opposed the budget, expressing disappointment that some priorities were overlooked. 91裸聊视频淚f we91裸聊视频檙e are serious about tree canopy, how is it that we could not fund something from council priorities to get this tree canopy going?91裸聊视频� he asked.

Lovegrove was referring to a $200,000 funding request for expanding Kelowna's tree canopy coverage in the budget that only he and Councillor Charlie Hodge supported.

Despite voting in favour of the overall budget, Hodge acknowledged room for improvement. 91裸聊视频淭he city has had better budgets,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not about always making everybody happy; it91裸聊视频檚 about doing what you think is the right thing.91裸聊视频�

Mayor Dyas commended city staff for their efforts. 91裸聊视频淔or them to be able to manage the way that they91裸聊视频檝e managed these funds and advance these projects, I truly believe that is what the community wants,91裸聊视频� he said. He warned that delaying capital projects would be detrimental to the community.

City Manager Doug Gilchrist said the budget is a commitment to financial management and sustainable growth. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e also working diligently to generate the majority of our revenues from sources other than property taxes,91裸聊视频� he added.

The , was approved, with Councillors Cannan and Lovegrove opposed.

Based on the average value of a single-detached home in Kelowna, the increase amounts to $107.80 a year, or $8.98 per month, and remains well below the average increase being considered throughout the province, according to a city media release.