Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)
By Liam Verster
8.72% Tax Hike

Coldstream taxation to increase 8.7%

Jan 14, 2026 | 10:00 AM

Coldstream residents will see their taxes go up in 2026, but not by as much as originally anticipated.

The district’s financial plan called for a proposed tax increase of 8.72 per cent in 2026.

That would equate to an annual increase of $154.58 for an average single family residence in Coldstream.

The tax rate hike was originally proposed to be 9.71 per cent, but that was brought down after taking into account anticipated revenues from new development.

The district stated key investments made through the tax increase in 2026 would be increasing the RCMP force from seven to eight members; hiring a new engineering technologist; and contributing to the new Lake Access Improvements Reserve and Asset Management Levy.

Green Tips Out Early
Okanagan tree fruit sector headed for early start to season
Mar 13, 2026
6.5% Unemployed
Labour force recovered somewhat in February
Mar 13, 2026
Three Deaths in Vernon
Start of 2026 sees increase in drug-related deaths
Mar 12, 2026

The District of Coldstream released its draft financial plan Tuesday, and asked the public to provide feedback on how the municipality planned to spend its money. The budget will be deliberated at the council meeting on January 26.

by Liam Verster
View Comments

Other Matters

Drilling Complications
Aberdeen Rd. sewer project delayed
A major infrastructure project in Coldstream has hit a snag.The district said drilling for the sewer line upgrades along Aberdeen Road had to be halted due to poor soil conditions under the CN Rail tracks."The project team was required to implement an alternative drilling method for the installation of water and s...
21h ago
Read More
Green Tips Out Early
Okanagan tree fruit sector headed for early start to season
The more temperate winter means local tree fruits could be available a little sooner in the Okanagan this year.That's according to Kirk Kemp, one of the owners of both B.C. Tree Fruits and Algoma Farms."It's been quite a bit warmer than normal, and there's some early signs of green tip in some of the cherries, and...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
6.5% Unemployed
Labour force recovered somewhat in February
The local labour force made some gains in February.Statistics Canada said in its monthly Labour Force Survey that the Thompson-Okanagan economic region, which includes Vernon, had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in the most recent reporting month.That was an improvement from January when unemployment wa...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Improvements
Impressive Emergency Services facility opened at YLW
There's more big improvements coming to Kelowna International Airport.Although the new renovations are not specifically related to passenger movement and convenience, it will improve safety for those passing through the airport.On Friday, the airport officially opened their new state-of-the-art $22 million-dollar Opera...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Loaded Handgun Seized
Traffic stop leads to firearm charges in Salmon Arm
A routine traffic stop in Salmon Arm led to a person being charged with a number of firearm-related offences.Salmon Arm RCMP said a vehicle was stopped Wednesday, March 12, and during the stop officers "observed indicators consistent with drug trafficking," resulting in the driver and passenger being arrested...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Slight Decrease
West Kelowna property tax increase trimmed
Homeowners in West Kelowna will see a slightly smaller property tax increase this year, but the relief comes with a catch.Council approved a nearly one per cent reduction in the 2026 property tax hike, lowering the overall increase to 6.638 per cent. For the owner of an average $945,000 home, that translates to a savin...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Pay Your fees
Coldstream business license fees past due
The District of Coldstream is reminding people to pay for their business licenses.The deadline to pay the license fees passed Friday, March 13."If you're operating a business within the District, please ensure your license is active-we appreciate your help in keeping our records up to date and our community thrivi...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Political Turmoil
MLA faces recall campaign over rights code, controversial remarks
Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream Independent MLA Tara Armstrong is facing a recall campaign.The news comes after a number of controversial moments including proposing to scrap B.C.'s Human Rights Code, a push for a ban on land acknowledgments, and even linking the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting to "transgender ideolog...
Mar 13, 2026
Read More
Three Deaths in Vernon
Start of 2026 sees increase in drug-related deaths
Local drug deaths rose on a monthly and annual basis to start the year.The B.C. Coroners Service said there were three suspected illicit toxic substance deaths recorded in Vernon in January of 2026.That was up from the one death recorded in December 2025, and the one death in January of the same year.Kelowna also saw i...
Mar 12, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Green Tips Out Early
Okanagan tree fruit sector headed for early start to season
Mar 13, 2026
6.5% Unemployed
Labour force recovered somewhat in February
Mar 13, 2026
Three Deaths in Vernon
Start of 2026 sees increase in drug-related deaths
Mar 12, 2026
eDNA Detection System
Rotary Clubs fundraising for invasive mussel detection system
Mar 12, 2026
Water Supply Update
Aberdeen snowpack below regional levels, reservoir levels being watched
Mar 12, 2026