Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study

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ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next Incorporation Study Committee meeting is April 16, 2024.


INTRODUCTION

In 2021/22, the RDOS undertook a Services and Boundary Configuration Study for Electoral Area "D," supported by a community volunteer Committee. At the end of the Study, the Committee recommended that RDOS ask the B.C. Government to fund an Incorporation Study for Okanagan Falls.

In the fall of 2022, the RDOS Board of Directors requested an Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study. The B.C. Government approved the Study in spring 2023, based on a defined incorporation study boundary. Over spring and summer 2023, RDOS hired a consulting team to undertake the Incorporation Study, and established a community volunteer Committee to ensure that the Study is objective and thorough.

The purpose of the Incorporation Study is to provide electors within the study area with the information and understanding required to make an informed decision on incorporation.

At the end of the Study (early 2025), the community Committee will recommend to the RDOS Board whether to request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs order a referendum on incorporation of the Okanagan Falls area.

The RDOS Board will consider the Committee's recommendation along with the Study findings and decide whether to hold a referendum on incorporation.

TIMELINE

  • The Incorporation Study will run from fall 2023 to early 2025.
  • NOW: The first half of the Study will consist of research and analysis about implications of incorporation on local services, taxation, and governance.
  • The second half of the Study will consist of community conversations about these implications and opportunities for electors to ask questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The next Incorporation Study Committee meeting is April 16, 2024.


INTRODUCTION

In 2021/22, the RDOS undertook a Services and Boundary Configuration Study for Electoral Area "D," supported by a community volunteer Committee. At the end of the Study, the Committee recommended that RDOS ask the B.C. Government to fund an Incorporation Study for Okanagan Falls.

In the fall of 2022, the RDOS Board of Directors requested an Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study. The B.C. Government approved the Study in spring 2023, based on a defined incorporation study boundary. Over spring and summer 2023, RDOS hired a consulting team to undertake the Incorporation Study, and established a community volunteer Committee to ensure that the Study is objective and thorough.

The purpose of the Incorporation Study is to provide electors within the study area with the information and understanding required to make an informed decision on incorporation.

At the end of the Study (early 2025), the community Committee will recommend to the RDOS Board whether to request that the Minister of Municipal Affairs order a referendum on incorporation of the Okanagan Falls area.

The RDOS Board will consider the Committee's recommendation along with the Study findings and decide whether to hold a referendum on incorporation.

TIMELINE

  • The Incorporation Study will run from fall 2023 to early 2025.
  • NOW: The first half of the Study will consist of research and analysis about implications of incorporation on local services, taxation, and governance.
  • The second half of the Study will consist of community conversations about these implications and opportunities for electors to ask questions.

Questions and Answers

Please ask questions here. 

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    Will property taxes increase?

    Hannah asked 2 months ago

    Hello and thank you for your question. It is not yet known whether property taxes would increase if Okanagan Falls were to incorporate. Research is underway to determine an answer to that question. The Incorporation Study consultants expect to know potential cost implications of incorporation in spring or summer 2024. Several events will take place in the community starting in summer 2024 to discuss potential incorporation and answer community questions. A mail out with key information will be sent to all property owners within the Study area. Please check back for updates and post any other questions you may have. Thank you!

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    Where are the minutes of the September Incorporation Study Committee meeting?

    Vokey asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your patience. Draft minutes from the Committee's first meeting have now been posted and are available here. Minutes will be final once adopted at the next Committee meeting on November 21, 2023 (starting at 6:30pm).

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    Hi, how do I apply to be on the committee? Thanks

    CarlyMcC asked 10 months ago

    Anyone interested in participating on the committee can email an Expression of Interest outlining relevant skills and qualifications to Christy Malden (cmalden@rdos.bc.ca(External link)(External link)), Kim Roemer (kroemer@rdos.bc.ca(External link)(External link)), Marc Aucoin (maucoin@rdos.bc.ca(External link)(External link)), or drop-off/mail to the RDOS office, 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5J9.

    The submission deadline is Friday, June 30, 2023, and details on the membership of the committee can be found in the 2023 Expression of Interest - Call for Committee Members, located in the Documents section on the right.

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    I am interested in your request for committee members - please advice process for submissions. Thank you.

    asked 10 months ago

    Anyone interested in participating on the committee can email an Expression of Interest outlining relevant skills and qualifications to Christy Malden (cmalden@rdos.bc.ca(External link)), Kim Roemer (kroemer@rdos.bc.ca(External link)), Marc Aucoin (maucoin@rdos.bc.ca(External link)), or drop-off/mail to the RDOS office, 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5J9.

    The submission deadline is Friday, June 30, 2023, and details on the membership of the committee can be found in the 2023 Expression of Interest - Call for Committee Members, located in the Documents section on the right.

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    Why did you expand the boundary to include McLean Flats (Allendale Lake, Chapman, and upper McLean Creek Roads)? The last meeting we attended Option E - the only option we are included in - was off the discussion table.

    Valerie asked 10 months ago

    While the Electoral Area “D” Services and Boundary and Configuration Study in 2021/22 produced a solid analysis of services and potential boundaries, the data gathered did not reflect a resounding preference for incorporation in areas outlying Okanagan Falls.

    As a result, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has recommended that an amended boundary may result in a more definitive outcome from electors to proceed to an incorporation vote. In reviewing the data from the surveys and public feedback, with Okanagan Falls being common to all options considered there is support for a study area involving that community and the immediate surrounding area as the core of a potentially new municipality in the area.

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    How does a person get on the committee?

    Rick Wilson asked 10 months ago

    Anyone interested in participating on the committee can email an Expression of Interest outlining relevant skills and qualifications to Christy Malden (cmalden@rdos.bc.ca), Kim Roemer (kroemer@rdos.bc.ca), Marc Aucoin (maucoin@rdos.bc.ca), or drop-off/mail to the RDOS office, 101 Martin Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5J9.

    The submission deadline is Friday, June 30, 2023, and details on the membership of the committee can be found in the 2023 Expression of Interest - Call for Committee Members, located in the Documents section on the right.