RDCO seeks feedback on 2026–2030 financial plan

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) has published its proposed 2026–2030 financial plan and is inviting residents to review it and share feedback.

The financial plan outlines how the RDCO will fund services, maintain infrastructure and support regional priorities over the next five years. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on specific elements, such as service levels, programming or funding priorities. Public input will help inform any final refinements before the plan is adopted by the Regional Board in March.

“The draft financial plan prioritizes the services people depend on today and the resilience of our region into the future,” said Tania McCabe, Director of Financial Services. “The RDCO has made strategic choices to manage rising costs and invest in essential infrastructure, and values public input to help shape a plan that reflects the community’s needs and priorities.”

The proposed 2026 operating budget is $77.8 million, an increase of $7 million or 9.8 per cent over 2025. This increase is largely due to inflation, scheduled wage increases under the current collective agreement and ongoing rollout of previously approved projects.

The plan includes significant investment in regional parks, including work to make parks safer and reopen areas closed by the McDougall Creek wildfire, continuing to expand year-round access at previously seasonal parks and improving active transportation and accessibility by advancing trail planning and design. The plan also prioritizes emergency management upgrades, improvements to the Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant and increased contributions to reserves to prepare for future projects. These investments are needed to maintain service quality and prepare for future growth.

Unlike municipalities, regional districts do not have a single tax rate. The impact on each property owner varies depending on where they live, the services they receive and the assessed value of their property. Preliminary average tax impacts for each community within the Central Okanagan are outlined below:

These amounts are for RDCO services only and excludes local service area taxes (eg fire protection, community centers, transit). Taxpayers may also see provincial, municipal or other tax authorities on their annual tax notice.

Beginning January 22, 2026, residents in Electoral Area East and Electoral Area West can use the RDCO’s property tax estimator tool at rdco.com/tax-estimator to view estimated 2026 property taxes and parcel charges based on the proposed financial plan. By searching their property address in the tool, Electoral Area residents can see their property totals, including RDCO-related property taxes and parcel taxes shown on their annual tax notice.

The draft financial plan will be presented to the Regional Board at the regular meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2026, with final adoption of the financial plan bylaw scheduled for March 19, 2026. Visit yoursay.rdco.com to learn more about the financial planning process and schedule, and to review the draft plan.

Residents can ask questions and provide feedback until 12 p.m. on February 6, 2026, in one of the following ways:

• Comment on the online forum at yoursay.rdco.com
• Email finance@rdco.com (subject line: 2026–2030 Financial Plan)
• Attend the February 5, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting in person to speak to the Board
• Mail comments to 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna, B.C. V1W 3Z4
• Please include the civic address of the property you own or live in when submitting feedback.