Kelowna council approves $1.1B budget, 4.4% tax increase included

Kelowna council has officially adopted its 2026 financial plan, approving a $1.1-billion budget during a meeting Monday that saw little debate and only one vote in opposition.

The plan includes a 4.4 per cent increase to the municipal property tax rate, translating to an estimated $115 more per year for the average homeowner. City officials say the bulk of property tax revenue will continue to support core services. Just over half, 54.1 per cent, goes to public safety, including police, fire protection and bylaw enforcement. Community services such as recreation, parks, and planning account for 24 per cent.

Transportation and mobility initiatives, including transit, parking operations and the airport, make up 17.6 per cent. Corporate administration represents 3 per cent, while utility and environmental programs account for 1.3 per cent.

The city notes property taxes fund roughly one-fifth of overall municipal spending, with the remainder coming from user fees, utility charges, reserves, grants and other revenues, a structure intended to ease reliance on taxation.