2025 Draft Budget & Financial Plan

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Thank you to those who attended our open houses! If you've not taken the opportunity to ask your questions about the budget, please use our Q&A feature below which will be available until February 18th. All questions/responses will be relayed to Council for the February 18th council meeting and third reading of the proposed budget.

Mark your calendar, the Budget Open Houses will be held:

  • Jan 28, 2025, 5pm - 8pm, George Eliott Secondary School
  • February 6, 2025, 3pm - 6pm, Municipal Hall Council Chambers

We hope you will participate in person and take the opportunity to speak with District staff. The material shown at the open houses is available on this page under 'Reference Documents' on the right side toolbar. This also includes the proposed five-year financial plan which includes the 2025 budget.

Council looks to ensure stable tax rates for residents over next several years

On Tuesday December 3rd beginning at 5:30 pm Council will consider the five-year financial plan (2025-2029) which includes the 2025 budget.

As the District navigates cost pressures in areas such as policing, transit and infrastructure, Council is focused on balancing the need to address rising operational costs, continuing to improve and invest in existing services and infrastructure while minimizing the impact on taxpayers. The proposed budget outlines an increase of 6.45% on the municipal, policing and fire portion of taxes, reflecting Council’s commitment to meeting the District’s financial needs without placing excessive burdens on the community.
Top of Form

A 1% tax increase translates to approximately $223,000 in revenue. The impact of the proposed 6.45% property tax increase to Lake Country property owners would be approximately a $178 yearly increase (or $15 monthly increase) on a single-family home assessed at $1 million.

Get Involved!

As 2025 budget deliberations start on Tuesday evening, it is important that everyone get involved and let Council know your thoughts on the proposed budget. Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. Review the information and leave your questions/comments on the official webpage. Staff will ensure that all feedback received from the community on the 2025 draft budget is relayed to Council prior to adoption of the five-year financial plan.

Mark your calendar –Community Open Houses will be held January 28 and Feb 6, 2025. We hope you will participate in person and take the opportunity to speak with staff, Mayor and Councillors. Stay informed as more content is published.

Important to note – aside from District official social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) – staff do not regularly monitor comments or conversations on external pages and groups.


Thank you to those who attended our open houses! If you've not taken the opportunity to ask your questions about the budget, please use our Q&A feature below which will be available until February 18th. All questions/responses will be relayed to Council for the February 18th council meeting and third reading of the proposed budget.

Mark your calendar, the Budget Open Houses will be held:

  • Jan 28, 2025, 5pm - 8pm, George Eliott Secondary School
  • February 6, 2025, 3pm - 6pm, Municipal Hall Council Chambers

We hope you will participate in person and take the opportunity to speak with District staff. The material shown at the open houses is available on this page under 'Reference Documents' on the right side toolbar. This also includes the proposed five-year financial plan which includes the 2025 budget.

Council looks to ensure stable tax rates for residents over next several years

On Tuesday December 3rd beginning at 5:30 pm Council will consider the five-year financial plan (2025-2029) which includes the 2025 budget.

As the District navigates cost pressures in areas such as policing, transit and infrastructure, Council is focused on balancing the need to address rising operational costs, continuing to improve and invest in existing services and infrastructure while minimizing the impact on taxpayers. The proposed budget outlines an increase of 6.45% on the municipal, policing and fire portion of taxes, reflecting Council’s commitment to meeting the District’s financial needs without placing excessive burdens on the community.
Top of Form

A 1% tax increase translates to approximately $223,000 in revenue. The impact of the proposed 6.45% property tax increase to Lake Country property owners would be approximately a $178 yearly increase (or $15 monthly increase) on a single-family home assessed at $1 million.

Get Involved!

As 2025 budget deliberations start on Tuesday evening, it is important that everyone get involved and let Council know your thoughts on the proposed budget. Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. Review the information and leave your questions/comments on the official webpage. Staff will ensure that all feedback received from the community on the 2025 draft budget is relayed to Council prior to adoption of the five-year financial plan.

Mark your calendar –Community Open Houses will be held January 28 and Feb 6, 2025. We hope you will participate in person and take the opportunity to speak with staff, Mayor and Councillors. Stay informed as more content is published.

Important to note – aside from District official social media channels (Facebook and Instagram) – staff do not regularly monitor comments or conversations on external pages and groups.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

Thank you for taking the time to ask questions about the draft 2025 budget. All questions and comments were relayed to Council at the February 18th Regular Council Meeting.

  • Share Under General Administration an additional 5 FTE positions are requested, from 13.5 to 18.5 - astonishing bold request for a department with little or no offsetting revenue. One such FTE request is for a Director of Legal Services, with an initial labour cost of $235 thousand! in 2025 and escalating yearly. The justification includes "continuity and District specific expertise of in house legal counsel". What is missing from this justification is the context: how much has DLC paid in external legal fees over the last (say) five years, and by how much will those costs diminish by having an in-house lawyer? Where are those anticipated external legal costs savings reflected in the budget, and if they are not - why not? on Facebook Share Under General Administration an additional 5 FTE positions are requested, from 13.5 to 18.5 - astonishing bold request for a department with little or no offsetting revenue. One such FTE request is for a Director of Legal Services, with an initial labour cost of $235 thousand! in 2025 and escalating yearly. The justification includes "continuity and District specific expertise of in house legal counsel". What is missing from this justification is the context: how much has DLC paid in external legal fees over the last (say) five years, and by how much will those costs diminish by having an in-house lawyer? Where are those anticipated external legal costs savings reflected in the budget, and if they are not - why not? on Twitter Share Under General Administration an additional 5 FTE positions are requested, from 13.5 to 18.5 - astonishing bold request for a department with little or no offsetting revenue. One such FTE request is for a Director of Legal Services, with an initial labour cost of $235 thousand! in 2025 and escalating yearly. The justification includes "continuity and District specific expertise of in house legal counsel". What is missing from this justification is the context: how much has DLC paid in external legal fees over the last (say) five years, and by how much will those costs diminish by having an in-house lawyer? Where are those anticipated external legal costs savings reflected in the budget, and if they are not - why not? on Linkedin Email Under General Administration an additional 5 FTE positions are requested, from 13.5 to 18.5 - astonishing bold request for a department with little or no offsetting revenue. One such FTE request is for a Director of Legal Services, with an initial labour cost of $235 thousand! in 2025 and escalating yearly. The justification includes "continuity and District specific expertise of in house legal counsel". What is missing from this justification is the context: how much has DLC paid in external legal fees over the last (say) five years, and by how much will those costs diminish by having an in-house lawyer? Where are those anticipated external legal costs savings reflected in the budget, and if they are not - why not? link

    Under General Administration an additional 5 FTE positions are requested, from 13.5 to 18.5 - astonishing bold request for a department with little or no offsetting revenue. One such FTE request is for a Director of Legal Services, with an initial labour cost of $235 thousand! in 2025 and escalating yearly. The justification includes "continuity and District specific expertise of in house legal counsel". What is missing from this justification is the context: how much has DLC paid in external legal fees over the last (say) five years, and by how much will those costs diminish by having an in-house lawyer? Where are those anticipated external legal costs savings reflected in the budget, and if they are not - why not?

    Icabod250 asked 20 days ago

    Please see page 38 of the budget document for background & justification. This also shows the position only represents a net increase of $70,000 due to cost savings and efficiencies from having the position in house:

  • Share 2025-FTE-07 Request to fund an (additional) Engineering Technician at a 2025 cost of $117 thousand, rising annually thereafter. Part of the FTE justification reads "In 2024, the District structure reorganized, merging Engineering and Utilities". The reorg including laying off the former Utilities Director. Where are the labour savings for said layoff reflected in the budget document? Wouldn't they offset the cost of the proposed hire, and then some i.e. net savings for the taxpayers? on Facebook Share 2025-FTE-07 Request to fund an (additional) Engineering Technician at a 2025 cost of $117 thousand, rising annually thereafter. Part of the FTE justification reads "In 2024, the District structure reorganized, merging Engineering and Utilities". The reorg including laying off the former Utilities Director. Where are the labour savings for said layoff reflected in the budget document? Wouldn't they offset the cost of the proposed hire, and then some i.e. net savings for the taxpayers? on Twitter Share 2025-FTE-07 Request to fund an (additional) Engineering Technician at a 2025 cost of $117 thousand, rising annually thereafter. Part of the FTE justification reads "In 2024, the District structure reorganized, merging Engineering and Utilities". The reorg including laying off the former Utilities Director. Where are the labour savings for said layoff reflected in the budget document? Wouldn't they offset the cost of the proposed hire, and then some i.e. net savings for the taxpayers? on Linkedin Email 2025-FTE-07 Request to fund an (additional) Engineering Technician at a 2025 cost of $117 thousand, rising annually thereafter. Part of the FTE justification reads "In 2024, the District structure reorganized, merging Engineering and Utilities". The reorg including laying off the former Utilities Director. Where are the labour savings for said layoff reflected in the budget document? Wouldn't they offset the cost of the proposed hire, and then some i.e. net savings for the taxpayers? link

    2025-FTE-07 Request to fund an (additional) Engineering Technician at a 2025 cost of $117 thousand, rising annually thereafter. Part of the FTE justification reads "In 2024, the District structure reorganized, merging Engineering and Utilities". The reorg including laying off the former Utilities Director. Where are the labour savings for said layoff reflected in the budget document? Wouldn't they offset the cost of the proposed hire, and then some i.e. net savings for the taxpayers?

    Icabod250 asked 20 days ago

    On the proposed budget, departmental changes for Transportation (page 12), Environmental Services (page 13), Water Operations (page 16), Sewer Operations (page17) reflect the changes impacted from the re-organization. The new, updated, and removed positions are all reflected and only the net impact is reflected in these operating budgets so any net savings are indeed reflected.

  • Share Several years ago the Roads dept asked for and received an extra $154 thousand to convert all DLC owned streetlights to LED, after BCH had converted all their streetlights. LED lights are much more energy efficiency and last much longer (lower maintenance costs) and BCH charges less per streetlight - saving DLC money. Not to mention much better quality of lighting compared to the horrid yellow sodium lights. However despite the budget allocation the DLC lights haven't been converted to-date, so Q#1 is why not? Q#2 was that a one-time ask, or did the $154k become an annual extra? Q#3 What happened to those funds (are they held in a designated reserve)? and most importantly Q#4: when is the LED conversion going to get done? on Facebook Share Several years ago the Roads dept asked for and received an extra $154 thousand to convert all DLC owned streetlights to LED, after BCH had converted all their streetlights. LED lights are much more energy efficiency and last much longer (lower maintenance costs) and BCH charges less per streetlight - saving DLC money. Not to mention much better quality of lighting compared to the horrid yellow sodium lights. However despite the budget allocation the DLC lights haven't been converted to-date, so Q#1 is why not? Q#2 was that a one-time ask, or did the $154k become an annual extra? Q#3 What happened to those funds (are they held in a designated reserve)? and most importantly Q#4: when is the LED conversion going to get done? on Twitter Share Several years ago the Roads dept asked for and received an extra $154 thousand to convert all DLC owned streetlights to LED, after BCH had converted all their streetlights. LED lights are much more energy efficiency and last much longer (lower maintenance costs) and BCH charges less per streetlight - saving DLC money. Not to mention much better quality of lighting compared to the horrid yellow sodium lights. However despite the budget allocation the DLC lights haven't been converted to-date, so Q#1 is why not? Q#2 was that a one-time ask, or did the $154k become an annual extra? Q#3 What happened to those funds (are they held in a designated reserve)? and most importantly Q#4: when is the LED conversion going to get done? on Linkedin Email Several years ago the Roads dept asked for and received an extra $154 thousand to convert all DLC owned streetlights to LED, after BCH had converted all their streetlights. LED lights are much more energy efficiency and last much longer (lower maintenance costs) and BCH charges less per streetlight - saving DLC money. Not to mention much better quality of lighting compared to the horrid yellow sodium lights. However despite the budget allocation the DLC lights haven't been converted to-date, so Q#1 is why not? Q#2 was that a one-time ask, or did the $154k become an annual extra? Q#3 What happened to those funds (are they held in a designated reserve)? and most importantly Q#4: when is the LED conversion going to get done? link

    Several years ago the Roads dept asked for and received an extra $154 thousand to convert all DLC owned streetlights to LED, after BCH had converted all their streetlights. LED lights are much more energy efficiency and last much longer (lower maintenance costs) and BCH charges less per streetlight - saving DLC money. Not to mention much better quality of lighting compared to the horrid yellow sodium lights. However despite the budget allocation the DLC lights haven't been converted to-date, so Q#1 is why not? Q#2 was that a one-time ask, or did the $154k become an annual extra? Q#3 What happened to those funds (are they held in a designated reserve)? and most importantly Q#4: when is the LED conversion going to get done?

    Icabod250 asked 24 days ago

    This project has been delayed due to capacity, costing and supply issues. This was a one time ask and was not an on-going expense. The project is to be funded from a reserve; since it hasn’t been spent yet nothing has been drawn from the reserve and as such those funds have been invested and earning investment income until they will be drawn upon in 2025 when spent. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

  • Share Last year council retracted a water service ask of several communities- what are the next steps for the water services for Carr’s Landing/ Coral Beach areas? on Facebook Share Last year council retracted a water service ask of several communities- what are the next steps for the water services for Carr’s Landing/ Coral Beach areas? on Twitter Share Last year council retracted a water service ask of several communities- what are the next steps for the water services for Carr’s Landing/ Coral Beach areas? on Linkedin Email Last year council retracted a water service ask of several communities- what are the next steps for the water services for Carr’s Landing/ Coral Beach areas? link

    Last year council retracted a water service ask of several communities- what are the next steps for the water services for Carr’s Landing/ Coral Beach areas?

    Coral Beach asked about 1 month ago

    The District is seeking senior government support to help offset the financial burden of implementing the strategy, though funding is not guaranteed. If no support is received and there is still a lack of community interest in proceeding, each water system in the area will need to explore its own long-term solution for maintaining water service delivery.

     

  • Share Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. NOT FOUND how can we ask questions of a proposed budget for 2025 when we can't find it?? please post a direct link to the budget on Facebook Share Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. NOT FOUND how can we ask questions of a proposed budget for 2025 when we can't find it?? please post a direct link to the budget on Twitter Share Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. NOT FOUND how can we ask questions of a proposed budget for 2025 when we can't find it?? please post a direct link to the budget on Linkedin Email Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. NOT FOUND how can we ask questions of a proposed budget for 2025 when we can't find it?? please post a direct link to the budget link

    Budget details can be found at Let's Talk - Lake Country. NOT FOUND how can we ask questions of a proposed budget for 2025 when we can't find it?? please post a direct link to the budget

    notadroptodrink asked about 1 month ago

    The proposed budget is located on this page under 'Documents' and is titled '2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan'.

  • Share With new proposal of 604 unit apartment complex. Will there be talks with city of Kelowna for shared revenue, as the residents would likely be using some of our assets and infrastructure? Ie policing/fire, roads... on Facebook Share With new proposal of 604 unit apartment complex. Will there be talks with city of Kelowna for shared revenue, as the residents would likely be using some of our assets and infrastructure? Ie policing/fire, roads... on Twitter Share With new proposal of 604 unit apartment complex. Will there be talks with city of Kelowna for shared revenue, as the residents would likely be using some of our assets and infrastructure? Ie policing/fire, roads... on Linkedin Email With new proposal of 604 unit apartment complex. Will there be talks with city of Kelowna for shared revenue, as the residents would likely be using some of our assets and infrastructure? Ie policing/fire, roads... link

    With new proposal of 604 unit apartment complex. Will there be talks with city of Kelowna for shared revenue, as the residents would likely be using some of our assets and infrastructure? Ie policing/fire, roads...

    Danwoods asked about 1 month ago

    Hello,

    Thank you for your question. The majority of this project is currently within the Lake Country boundary and the City of Kelowna is currently in the process of transferring the remaining part of the property to Lake Country, therefore the property will pay Lake Country taxes.

    Thank you,
    District of Lake Country

  • Share What is council doing to address the inequity of service between communities? on Facebook Share What is council doing to address the inequity of service between communities? on Twitter Share What is council doing to address the inequity of service between communities? on Linkedin Email What is council doing to address the inequity of service between communities? link

    What is council doing to address the inequity of service between communities?

    Coral Beach asked about 1 month ago

    Operating & Capital budgets are prepared with the entire District in mind. The District has a ward system where each of the 4 wards has a ward Councillor in addition to the Mayor and 2 Councillors at large. This helps ensure that each ward has specific representation but also that the best interests of the entire community are served.

  • Share What other options has council come up with to generate revenue instead of lazily increasing taxes? What cost saving measures is council proposing to reduce residential taxes? on Facebook Share What other options has council come up with to generate revenue instead of lazily increasing taxes? What cost saving measures is council proposing to reduce residential taxes? on Twitter Share What other options has council come up with to generate revenue instead of lazily increasing taxes? What cost saving measures is council proposing to reduce residential taxes? on Linkedin Email What other options has council come up with to generate revenue instead of lazily increasing taxes? What cost saving measures is council proposing to reduce residential taxes? link

    What other options has council come up with to generate revenue instead of lazily increasing taxes? What cost saving measures is council proposing to reduce residential taxes?

    Coral Beach asked about 1 month ago

    Municipalities such as the District of Lake Country must follow provincial legislation which has limited revenue streams available however the District does always explore what’s available both from the revenue generation side and the cost savings side, here are some recent examples and initiatives:

    • Significant initiative and planning are going into trying to develop the Lake Country Business Park which would diversify the tax base, increasing the amount of business and light industrial tax revenue to the District and offset the residential tax burden
    • Fees for services are set and reviewed regularly to try and achieve cost recovery in multiple areas such as planning, building, development, engineering etc. (worth noting though that local governments are only able to set fees to recover costs and cannot “profit” to further offset tax revenue).
    • Development Cost Charges are being increased to ensure that developers pay their fair share and don’t create additional burden on existing taxpayers.
    • A dedicated grant writer has been hired to help pursue significant capital and operating grants
    • All general ledger accounts are reviewed annually to look for potential savings and are refined to only provide levels of service as set by Council and nothing more
    • Partnerships with other government agencies, regional districts, municipalities, First Nations etc. to achieve cost sharing where possible.
    • Bulk buying with other governments on commonly purchased items to achieve economies of scale with larger purchases through group procurement.
  • Share Why do you have to empty the garbage cans on weekends and holidays? Do you pay overtime or double overtime for the work? I saw this work on Sundays but I saw it again on January 1st. Was it necessary or just wasting money? What was the hourly wage for the person who was working on 1st of January? We are not happy for the tax increases again so we wanted to be sure you not wasting money. on Facebook Share Why do you have to empty the garbage cans on weekends and holidays? Do you pay overtime or double overtime for the work? I saw this work on Sundays but I saw it again on January 1st. Was it necessary or just wasting money? What was the hourly wage for the person who was working on 1st of January? We are not happy for the tax increases again so we wanted to be sure you not wasting money. on Twitter Share Why do you have to empty the garbage cans on weekends and holidays? Do you pay overtime or double overtime for the work? I saw this work on Sundays but I saw it again on January 1st. Was it necessary or just wasting money? What was the hourly wage for the person who was working on 1st of January? We are not happy for the tax increases again so we wanted to be sure you not wasting money. on Linkedin Email Why do you have to empty the garbage cans on weekends and holidays? Do you pay overtime or double overtime for the work? I saw this work on Sundays but I saw it again on January 1st. Was it necessary or just wasting money? What was the hourly wage for the person who was working on 1st of January? We are not happy for the tax increases again so we wanted to be sure you not wasting money. link

    Why do you have to empty the garbage cans on weekends and holidays? Do you pay overtime or double overtime for the work? I saw this work on Sundays but I saw it again on January 1st. Was it necessary or just wasting money? What was the hourly wage for the person who was working on 1st of January? We are not happy for the tax increases again so we wanted to be sure you not wasting money.

    TIBOR asked 2 months ago

    Hello TIBOR,
    Certain District areas require hours outside of the typical Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm schedule to provide necessary services. To accommodate this and provide best value for taxpayers, departments such as facilities, parks, sewer, roads, fire, and utilities normal work patterns include weekend operations at regular rates (not overtime).
    Thank you,
    Caitlin 

  • Share Just a follow up on my previous question regarding traffic fine revenue. With an average cost of $138 per speeding ticket (some being much more than this) and an officer writing two tickets per day, should income not be at least $100,000? I recognize that there are many, many other more emergent issues within the district that officers must focus on but this seems like an area where if taxpayers in Lake Country are fronting more of the costs, that the district should be able to generate revenue to support operations costs and increased staffing. I don't want to see the district become a police state but it can be more safe with speeding on the highway corridor as well as our side streets (particularly near schools) and reduction in impaired drivers. on Facebook Share Just a follow up on my previous question regarding traffic fine revenue. With an average cost of $138 per speeding ticket (some being much more than this) and an officer writing two tickets per day, should income not be at least $100,000? I recognize that there are many, many other more emergent issues within the district that officers must focus on but this seems like an area where if taxpayers in Lake Country are fronting more of the costs, that the district should be able to generate revenue to support operations costs and increased staffing. I don't want to see the district become a police state but it can be more safe with speeding on the highway corridor as well as our side streets (particularly near schools) and reduction in impaired drivers. on Twitter Share Just a follow up on my previous question regarding traffic fine revenue. With an average cost of $138 per speeding ticket (some being much more than this) and an officer writing two tickets per day, should income not be at least $100,000? I recognize that there are many, many other more emergent issues within the district that officers must focus on but this seems like an area where if taxpayers in Lake Country are fronting more of the costs, that the district should be able to generate revenue to support operations costs and increased staffing. I don't want to see the district become a police state but it can be more safe with speeding on the highway corridor as well as our side streets (particularly near schools) and reduction in impaired drivers. on Linkedin Email Just a follow up on my previous question regarding traffic fine revenue. With an average cost of $138 per speeding ticket (some being much more than this) and an officer writing two tickets per day, should income not be at least $100,000? I recognize that there are many, many other more emergent issues within the district that officers must focus on but this seems like an area where if taxpayers in Lake Country are fronting more of the costs, that the district should be able to generate revenue to support operations costs and increased staffing. I don't want to see the district become a police state but it can be more safe with speeding on the highway corridor as well as our side streets (particularly near schools) and reduction in impaired drivers. link

    Just a follow up on my previous question regarding traffic fine revenue. With an average cost of $138 per speeding ticket (some being much more than this) and an officer writing two tickets per day, should income not be at least $100,000? I recognize that there are many, many other more emergent issues within the district that officers must focus on but this seems like an area where if taxpayers in Lake Country are fronting more of the costs, that the district should be able to generate revenue to support operations costs and increased staffing. I don't want to see the district become a police state but it can be more safe with speeding on the highway corridor as well as our side streets (particularly near schools) and reduction in impaired drivers.

    Morgan asked 3 months ago

    Hello Morgan,

    Our traffic fine revenue is actually based on a formula in legislation. The total net traffic fine revenue for the province gets divided up based on total policing costs. So as our policing costs increase (which they have been significantly) our share will also go up. It is not based on the tickets directly issued in the area.

    Local Government Grants Regulations

    Division 4 — Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing
    Traffic fine revenue sharing

    8.1  The amount that a municipality may receive to help defray the cost of local police enforcement for a calendar year is calculated as follows:

    amount = 

    TPC

     ------

    APC

     × App


     

     

    where

    APC

     = 

    the aggregate municipal policing costs for municipal policing in British Columbia as published for the calendar year by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General;

    App

     = 

    the annual appropriation for the calendar year for the Traffic Fine Revenue Sharing Program;

    TPC

     = 

    the total policing costs for the calendar year for the municipality as accepted and published by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

    [en. B.C. Reg. 135/99, s. 5; am. B.C. Regs. 27/2013, Sch. 2, s. 3; 99/2018, Sch. 2, s. 9.]

Page last updated: 05 Mar 2025, 09:15 AM