Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Dawn Tucker announced they would run for Vernon City Council (Image Credit: Dawn Tucker / Facebook)
Election 2026

Vernon’s ‘financial watchdog ‘seeking term on city council

Aug 11, 2026 | 3:57 PM

A vocal member of the community will be running for a seat on Vernon City Council this fall.

Dawn Tucker announced their bid with a social media post in which they stated they had fittingly been referred to as Vernon’s “financial watchdog.”

Tucker’s candidacy website pointed to their long-time commitment to raise concerns about Vernon’s financial decisions and advocate for changes, pointing to warning residents about cumulative sewer fee increases, raising concerns about the Cultural Centre’s rising costs, forwarding budget options that were taken into consideration and led to a lower tax hike, being the only resident to attend and provide input in the 2025 budget deliberations, pushing back against downloading the Active Living Centre’s operating costs on residents, raising questions about mayor and council pay increases, and voicing opposition about raising residential sewer rates to help pay for the Okanagan Spring Brewery’s water digestion.

“I know that every tax dollar going into this city is coming from residents’ wallets, and it should be spent with that in mind,” Tucker said in the social media post.

“I want to ensure we get the best possible value, and make the best possible decisions by always keeping that front of mind.”

Along with fiscally responsibility, Tucker’s campaign will focus on rewriting the Development Cost Charge bylaw to make it more transparent, delivering infill and other housing solutions that meet the need of the community, making Vernon a community where young people can grow and choose to stay in, improving the downtown core, protecting the murals and other public art pieces, working to protect water security through better storm water and wastewater management, incorporating environmental concerns into every decision, addressing public safety concerns through increased transparency, public space designs, funding policing based on need and exploring a downtown ambassador program; promoting supporting local businesses, making the community more accessible and inclusive, and being a candidate that would be open to listen to residents.

This will be Tucker’s third time attempting to seek a seat on city council.

Tucker has also been an active member of the community for many years, having served on the boards of the Vernon Winter Carnival , Vernon Teacher’s Association, Vernon Science Centre and Vernon Women’s Centre. As of time of publication, they were also president of the Vernon Pride Society, co-admin of the Vernon & Area Community Forum, and creator and co-admin of the Vernon & Area Political Discussion Forum.

The local general election is scheduled for Oct. 17.

View Comments