Mayor Colin Basran ended his state of the city speech at a Kelowna chamber luncheon Wednesday (Mar. 15) by saying 91裸聊视频渢his could possibly be the last time I get to do this.91裸聊视频�

Basran then thanked his parents, who were in attendance.

91裸聊视频淚 could never do this without the two of you,91裸聊视频� said an emotional Basran. 91裸聊视频淚 also want to thank my kids, Nyah and Keenan for their continued curiosity and helping me be better.91裸聊视频�

Basran also thanked city staff, council members, and the Kelowna Chamber. Asked if he would run for re-election in October91裸聊视频檚 municipal elections, the mayor, who has been in office for two terms, was non-committal.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a conversation I need to have with my kids and parents in particular,91裸聊视频� said Basran. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e (council) been so focused on the pandemic and the issues I mentioned in my speech, that I haven91裸聊视频檛 given it a lot of thought. I need to. But at this point, I have no announcement to let the public know in terms of my political future.91裸聊视频�

Basran91裸聊视频檚 speech covered a lot of ground. From how the city has dealt with the pandemic, the region91裸聊视频檚 population growth and housing crunch, to social and homelessness issues, improving city infrastructure, and growth in Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 tech sector.

The mayor pointed out the past two years have been difficult, recent world events have been worrying and there will be challenges to navigate moving forward, but added there is a lot to be optimistic about.

91裸聊视频淓merging from a two-year pandemic, two years of protests, devastating environmental catastrophes, and a shocking military invasion of Ukraine, I know our collective vision developed through is more important than ever.91裸聊视频�

Basran said confidence and investment in Kelowna are 91裸聊视频渦nlike anything we91裸聊视频檝e ever seen.91裸聊视频� That also came with challenges as the city91裸聊视频檚 population growth led to a housing crunch and its effects on affordability. He pointed out the city is under pressure to keep up with the demand for new housing.

91裸聊视频淚t is one of the most the most significant threats to our city91裸聊视频檚 continued prosperity,91裸聊视频� said Basran. 91裸聊视频淏ut we91裸聊视频檝e got this. We have a new Official Community Plan (OCP) and Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and one of the best planning and development approval systems in the province.91裸聊视频�

He admitted that affordability is a deterrent to attracting employees from nearly every economic sector, and added it is a major focus for council and staff.

91裸聊视频淥ur council has made and will continue to make bold decisions to approve housing developments and other investments that create attractive community assets to enhance our quality of life.91裸聊视频�

Basran said Kelowna has been a leader in demanding more housing support from the provincial government.

91裸聊视频淥ver the past few years alone B.C. Housing has opened almost 300 supportive homes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in our city. Plus they provided over 200 overnight, emergency shelter spaces this winter.91裸聊视频�

The mayor also addressed the one issue that upsets many homeowners every year 91裸聊视频� property taxes.

91裸聊视频淭his has often been a criticism as mayor, is property taxes continue to rise every year,91裸聊视频� said Basran. When you look at how we compare to other large municipalities in B.C., we are always below average and we91裸聊视频檝e always been in the lower one-third in terms of the rates that our residents pay for taxes. When you compare what you get for those tax dollars up against other communities, I would say Kelowna residents are getting a good deal.91裸聊视频�

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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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