Have your say on Kelowna’s 2025 Annual Report
News Release
Do you know what your tax dollars delivered last year?
From safer streets and smoother commutes to infrastructure built to last, the City of Kelowna’s 2025 Annual Report is now available online. The report highlights progress across all six Council priorities and shows how public dollars supported a safe, livable, and resilient community.
In 2025, the City took deliberate action to manage growth responsibly, delivering reliable services, investing ahead of need, and keeping affordability front and centre. Accelerated infrastructure delivery, strengthened community safety services, and strong financial stewardship were all guided by Council priorities and Kelowna’s long‑term vision to 2040.
Less than a quarter of the City’s budget was funded through property taxes, with the remainder coming from user fees, sustainable business units, partnerships, grants, and reserves. This diversified revenue model helped stretch every dollar, maintained stable and predictable taxes, and kept Kelowna’s property taxes among the lowest in the province.
“As Kelowna continues to evolve, it’s critical that we invest deliberately and transparently,” said City Manager Doug Gilchrist. “This report shows how the organization focused on community safety, delivering major infrastructure, and managing public dollars responsibly, while building the capacity needed to support the city today and into the future.”
How investments shaped Kelowna in 2025
The report highlights three major investment themes that shaped daily life in Kelowna:
A safer community
Community safety remained a top priority in 2025, with targeted investments in RCMP, Bylaw, and Fire services, alongside alternative response models for people in crisis. Continued advocacy to senior governments focused on social disorder, repeat offenders and long‑term solutions for complex social challenges.
Faster, safer ways to get around
Historic levels of capital investment accelerated major road, transit, walking, and cycling projects—improving mobility, safety, and connectivity across the city while reducing future disruption by building ahead of need.
Infrastructure that supports everyday life
Record investments in recreation facilities, parks, utilities, civic buildings, airport infrastructure, and critical water systems ensured Kelowna kept pace with growth while protecting long‑term affordability and service reliability.
Have your say
Council will receive the 2025 Annual Report on Monday, June 22. Residents are encouraged to review the report and share comments or questions until 4 p.m. on Friday, June 17. Email [email protected] or mail comments to 1435 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J4.
The City of Kelowna’s Annual Report has received the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the past 23 years. It is considered the highest standard in clear and transparent reporting.
View the report at kelowna.ca/annualreport. Printed copies are available upon request.
