Committed to Innovation

On Friday, June 7, the City of Kelowna released the 2023 Annual Report, Beyond the Curve, which provides our citizens and other stakeholders with important information about the City’s activities over the past year. It is an important yearly snapshot of the activities undertaken throughout the year for the collective good of our community.  

As public servants we are responsible for delivering essential services, programs and targeted, progressive initiatives that bring the community’s vision to life. Our core values—innovate to make things better, act as one team, serve proudly and lead responsibly—establish the common expectations of how we show up each day and how we approach our work.  

As City Manager for the past six years, I have witnessed our staff embodying these values consistently, but 2023 truly stood out as a year defined by our unwavering commitment to innovation, bold leadership, collaborative action, and unity. It marked a significant leap forward in our dedication to forward-thinking strategies, seizing opportunities, and embracing novel approaches to elevate the effectiveness of our city's operations and services.  

January 1 to December 31, 2023, was a year of digital transformation and finding ways to enhance transparency and improve the lives of residents through access to online services, technological innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. Developing strong communities that lead, through creativity, innovation, and partnerships is the future.  

Our grant work sped Kelowna light years ahead and positioned the City as a municipal leader in advocacy, partnerships and non-taxation revenue streams. The City received an investment of $100 million through grants and direct awards from senior government that will advance key infrastructure, transportation, community safety, affordable housing, environmental and childcare projects in our community. Community partnerships with organizations like Okanagan College, University of British Columbia Okanagan and Okanagan Regional Library will continue to be the way forward in delivering valuable facilities, programs and services.  

In terms of financial management, 2023 marked the transformative journey towards service-based budgeting. The impact of this transition is profound and far-reaching. By aligning our budget with service delivery, benchmarking ourselves against other local governments, and measuring our results publicly, we are not only maximizing efficiency but also enhancing transparency and accountability. Through meticulous data analysis and strategic planning, we are streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring that every dollar invested yields tangible benefits for our community and contributes directly to the wellbeing of our residents.  

In looking ahead, we remain committed to innovation and redefining the way local government is perceived in the eyes of the tax paying public. I couldn’t be more excited about the future of our great city and proud of the effort and commitment of our staff to deliver the priorities of Council and our community. 

I encourage our residents to check out the Annual Report at kelowna.ca/annualreport to learn more.