Back to SearchDraft 2023-2027 Five-year Financial Plan
The Regional Board has received a presentation on the RDCO’s draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan. It totals over $61.4-million, up 3.4% from 2022 and includes over $13.2-million in debt with the Municipal Finance Authority on behalf of local governments and the Okanagan Regional Library. The tax impact for the average property owner varies depending on location and services received from the regional district. Detailed information is available and email comments on the fiscal priorities may be provided at yoursay.rdco.com. Staff have been directed to review the proposed requisitions to see if any reductions can be considered. Residents may comment in person to the Regional Board at its 6 p.m. February 16 meeting. Final adoption of the RDCO and Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District Financial Plans is scheduled for meetings on March 30.
Investigating expanded curbside organics
The Regional Board received a report about potentially expanding the curbside collection program to include food waste with the pick-up of yard waste. It’s proposed that a total of $525,000 be allocated to undertake further actions and consultation toward developing, implementing and operating expanded residential organics collection. The Board will consider a consultation and engagement strategy before giving final approval for moving forward.
The Regional Board unanimously authorized the Chair to send a letter to the Ministry of Environment, opposing proposed changes by Recycle BC. The draft Packaging and Paper Product Extended Producer Responsibility Plan would see the loss of several existing recycling depots affecting residents in the City of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.
Regional Parks Visitor Services update
The Regional Board received a presentation and report from Parks Services outlining program and visitor highlights for last year. It’s estimated during 2022 more than 36,000 people took part in a Regional Park interpretive program or event. That’s up from 27,633 in 2021 and well on the way to returning to the pre-pandemic numbers when approximately 43,000 people participated in park programs. Last year more than 700 programs and events were held in 27 Regional Parks and volunteers logged over 1,000 hours on park improvement initiatives and projects.
Planning Applications considered
The Regional Board considered the following planning applications:
- The Regional Board has given first reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 871-276 (Application Z22/05) for 491 Killarney Way (J & S Sanjenko, owner) to add a secondary suite to an existing single detached house. A public hearing will be scheduled and advertised for February 16.
- The Regional Board has given conditional approval for a Temporary Use Permit (TUP-22-03) to permit four, short-term occupancy self-contained suites within a single-family home at Myra Canyon Lodge, 4675 June Spring Road.
- The Regional Board approved sending a letter of concurrence for an application from Rogers Communications Inc. (RDCO file MISC-22-42) to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Rogers has applied to the federal agency to install a 15.9-meter tower on a portion of private land at 2411 Westside Road to expand its telecommunications network.
Friends of Fintry funding request
The Regional Board supported a request by the Friends of Fintry Provincial Park Society to restore and add a $40,000 operating grant-in-aid for one year, conditional on the non-profit society providing annual financial information to the RDCO. Since 2020, the grant was phased out over three years. The funding has been allocated to support non-profit ‘Friends of Regional Parks’ organizations.
The Regional Board endorsed having the Chair advocate with the Union of BC Municipalities and the BC Minister of Public Safety for funding assistance with the federally mandated transition to Next generation 9-1-1 technology. In addition, the Chair will send a letter to the Province requesting it increase emergency response services for BC Ambulance and paramedics.
Regional District office – 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Boardroom)
- Thursday, February 16 – 6 p.m. – in-person comments on proposed Financial Plan
- Thursday, February 23 – Electoral Area Services Committee – 8:30 a.m.
- Thursday, March 9 – 8:30 a.m. Committee of the Whole
- Thursday, March 16 – 6 p.m.
When a meeting begins, a live stream video link will be available for that meeting in the Upcoming Meeting agenda section of rdco.com/agenda. When available, a link to the Video recording will be posted in the Past Meetings section for the individual meeting date.
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