New projects planned as district approves budget

Mar 14, 2024 | 2:30 PM

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has approved its 2024 operating budget which totals $65.6 million, up 6.7 per cent from 2023.

RDCO staff said approximately half of the increase was required to maintain existing assets and infrastructure that serve the region.

Board chair Loyal Wooldridge said they continue to prioritize the services people value the most, such as curbside organics, planning for a new facility for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and creating more year-round access to regional parks.

“These priorities have direct positive impact on the health and wellbeing of both our residents and the environment we call home,” Wooldridge said “As the fastest growing region in Canada, we’ve continued to invest responsibly in measurable plans that keep pace with resident’s requests for enhanced services, while also contributing to reserves to ensure the financial health for the region for years to come.”

An estimated $14.5 million in capital and infrastructure improvements are planned for 2024. An additional $6.7 million in capital and infrastructure improvements are also carrying forward from 2023, for a total planned spending on capital of $21.2 million. These costs are funded predominantly through reserves, with funding from grants where available.

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New projects in 2024 include:

$400K for engineering and design for a new facility for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR)
$450K for public education, outreach as well as service design for curbside organics collections
$311K for improvements to Kalamoir trail network to increase the options for active transportation
$393K for multi-year projects to improve accessibility to regional parks

The average home in Kelowna ($938,890 assessed value) will pay $260 for general RDCO services in 2024, up $6 from last year. The average home in Electoral Area West will pay of $1,193, an increase of $169.

The Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District (CORHD) Board also adopted its five-year financial plan bylaw on March 14.

“The 2024-2028 financial plan places a primary focus on health care investments that will directly influence the health and well-being of our whole community. Health care touches everyone in the region, and it is vital that we ensure our health care facilities are constructed and equipped with the latest and best technology, and the best care possible, to meet the evolving health needs of all residents,” Blair Ireland, Chair of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital Board, said.

Each year, ratepayers within the Hospital District contribute up to 40 per cent of the funds for approved capital and equipment services. The 2024 budget includes $32.4 million in capital project funding requested by Interior Health, a $6.0 million or 15 per cent decrease from the prior year. This means that the average Central Okanagan household will contribute $19.19 for every $100,000 of assessed value towards capital improvements and health equipment.

New projects funded by the financial plan include:

MRI replacement and addition at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) – CORHD share $3.1 million.
Interior Health wide digital health project – CORHD share $1.4 million.
Equipment under $100,000 – 2024 – CORHD share $1.1 million.
Pharmacy upgrades at KGH – CORHD share $1.1 million.

by Pete McIntyre

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