The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Board of Directors has adopted its 2026-2030 Financial Plan.

“The preparation of the Five-Year Financial Plan is a lengthy and detailed process, with the overall goal of working towards a budget that supports service levels and capital projects while minimizing the impact on taxpayers,” said RDEK Chair Rob Gay.

“I am pleased with the balance that has been achieved this year and want to acknowledge everyone from the staff and board to our member municipalities, other organizations and commissions, and the public who’ve all contributed to the development of the Plan.”

The 2026 operating budget totals $48.9 million, which results in an increase for shared services of $26 on an average $623,000 residential assessment across the region.

“It is important to remember that there is a difference between the numbers in the budget and the effect those numbers will have on individual tax rates. The RDEK operates over 100 different services, and residents will be affected differently, depending on the municipality or electoral area in which they live,” adds Gay.

The Financial Plan includes $11.6 million in capital expenditures for 2026 for projects such fire engine replacements for the Panorama, Hosmer, Baynes Lake and Windermere Fire Departments, a watermain replacement in Windermere, and a reservoir expansion in the Eastside Lake Windermere Water System.

There are also a number of 100% fully grant funded capital projects, including the extension of the Elko Fire Hall, Edgewater Sewer lift station, Edgewater connectivity, Edgewater Water raw water intake design and phase 1 of the Hosmer Fire Hall project.

“Unlike a municipality that has one boundary and one set of taxpayers, different areas of the RDEK require different services and these are paid for only by the taxpayers of each specific service area,” explained Gay.

“You need to understand what services you receive in order to have the full picture of how the budget will impact you.  For example, residents in the City of Kimberley will see an $18 increase in their requisition for RDEK services based on the average $623,000 residential assessment.  Residents of Area E, will see a $38 increase on a $623,000 residential assessment because they receive different services.”

To summarize some of the impacts, the RDEK has prepared a Snapshot, which includes the Financial Plan’s impacts on the electoral areas and municipalities along with capital budget highlights.  The Snapshot of the adopted Five-Year Plan, along with the full adopted plan, will be posted early next week.

In addition to the information available online at engage.rdek.bc.ca/budget, copies of the Financial Plan and Snapshot are available on request through the RDEK’s Columbia Valley and Cranbrook offices.

e-KNOW file photos

RDEK

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