For The Record: Article contains incorrect information, numbers

An article published Nov. 28 in the Kelowna Daily Courier cites a spokesperson for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation incorrectly stating the number of people employed by the City of Kelowna will have grown by 70 per next year compared to 2013. 

The story goes on to suggest that City staffing is significantly out of proportion to Kelowna’s population, which is also incorrect. 

The total staff presented in the publicly accessible 2013 budget volume was 818.3 and staffing for 2025 is projected to be 1,196.4, which is a 46 per cent increase. Census data for 2011 (the closest year to 2013, and the comparable used in the article) has Kelowna’s population at 117,312 and the 2024 population at 165,907. That’s a 41 per cent population growth. 

While overall staffing has roughly kept pace with the city’s population, the demands on the City have expanded to include additional services, such as social development, climate action and significant expansion of essential services like our international airport. 

Meanwhile, the City has also strategically expanded our programs and services to address community needs and foster opportunities to create efficiencies. Examples of new services include the absorption of water utilities in Southeast Kelowna and Glenmore and a Partnerships Office, which proactively seeks out other funding streams and grant opportunities. In 2023, we secured $68 million in grants, which has helped keep Kelowna’s annual tax increases modest compared to nearly all other comparable municipalities across B.C.  

As a municipality, we find ourselves dealing with new challenges such as the housing shortage and the effects of the opioid crisis every year, and we must prudently bring on the appropriate resources to manage and solve these critical issues for our community. 

The City of Kelowna takes a measured and business-case supported approach to its staffing levels, along with all our financial decisions. Guided by Council direction, audits and professional associations that review City practices, the budget program itself is in place to ensure full accountability and transparency. Suggesting otherwise is unfounded and irresponsible.

It is unfortunate this information was misinterpreted as the facts are readily available to anyone who cares to look for them.