Regional Board meeting highlights - Jan. 22
Here's what you might have missed from the Regional Board
Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District (CORHD) meeting – January 22, 2026
Election of Chair and Acting Chair of the CORHD
The Board acclaimed Tom Dyas as Chair and Blair Ireland as Acting Chair of the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District for the 2026 term.
Draft 2026–2030 Hospital District financial plan approved
Following a presentation from Interior Health, the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District Board approved the draft 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan, which outlines operating and capital funding to support hospital and long-term care facilities across the region.
The plan includes $8.3 million in operating expenditures for 2026 and $45.8 million in planned capital projects, including continued investment in the Cottonwoods Long-Term Care project and upgrades at Kelowna General Hospital. The Board also directed staff to prepare the associated financial plan bylaw for adoption in March.
Regional Board meeting – January 22, 2026
Soil removal and deposit bylaws advance
The Regional Board gave first, second and third readings to bylaws that would establish and regulate a soil removal and deposit service in Central Okanagan East and West Electoral Areas. The bylaws apply only to the RDCO’s Electoral Areas. Municipalities within the Central Okanagan have their own soil removal and deposit regulations in place.
The proposed bylaws respond to growing concerns about large-scale soil placement on rural lands and would introduce a permitting system, professional oversight and enforcement measures.
The bylaws will be forwarded to provincial ministries for approval before the bylaws can return to the Board for adoption consideration.
Emergency preparedness grant applications approved
The Regional Board approved staff applying for funding through the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. If successful, the grants would support upgrades to Emergency Operations Centre equipment and training, as well as improvements to Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning to strengthen regional emergency response and coordination.
Board directors’ conference attendance approved
The Regional Board approved Directors’ attendance at 2026 conferences, forums and conventions. Attendance supports professional development, regional collaboration and informed decision-making in accordance with the Board Expense Policy.
Director appointed to Okanagan Regional Library Board
The Regional Board appointed Director Kevin Kraft to the Okanagan Regional Library Board.
Draft 2026–2030 Five-Year Financial Plan presented
The Director of Financial Services presented a report and presentation on the draft 2026–2030 five-year financial plan. Following the discussion, the Board directed staff to explore options to reduce the budget and report back to the Regional Board at the February 19, 2026, meeting.
Residents are invited to learn more about the financial plan and ask questions at yoursay.rdco.com before 12:00 p.m. on February 6, 2025.
Electoral Area East and West residents can view a detailed breakdown of the tax implications of the proposed financial plan by visiting rdco.com/tax-estimator.
Regional Board meetings
Regional District office – 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna (Woodhaven Boardroom)
- February 19 – 8:30 a.m. (Regular Board meeting)
- March 19 – 8:30 a.m. (Regular Board meeting)
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