The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is looking at a budget increase of 6.37 per cent.

However, since funding is calculated differently for each community and electoral area, tax increases will vary throughout the area.

The 2025 budget is for $27,745,266. This is an increase of $1,660,808 from the 2024 figure, or a 6.37 per cent increase overall.

The incorporated communities of Penticton, Summerland, Princeton, Oliver, Osoyoos and Keremeos will see their taxes to the regional district increase by an average of 8.04 per cent for programs they utilize. 

In Osoyoos, the increase comes in at 12.07 per cent and in Princeton, a tax increase of 10.02 per cent has been calculated. Meanwhile, Oliver has the smallest increase, at 4.90 per cent.

The six communities account for $8,450,585 of the regional district鈥檚 budget.

The Penticton Indian Band鈥檚 share is $59,169.

The nine electoral areas combined account for $19,235,512. 

Residents of Electoral Area B, which includes Cawston, will have a tax increase of 8.12 per cent, while Electoral Area A (Osoyoos Rural) and Electoral Area I (Skaha West/Kaleden/Apex) can both expect increases of 7.95 per cent.

The smallest tax increase is for residents of Electoral Area F (Okanagan Lake West/West Bench) at 2.31 per cent.

The variations are based on the specific services a community or electoral area receives from the regional district. 

The town of Princeton will contribute a total of $157,046 while the city of Penticton鈥檚 contributions are $3,187,822.

Among the electoral areas, Electoral Area D (Okanagan Falls) residents will contribute $3,497,301 while Electoral Area B (Cawston) residents will contribute $942,097.

The financial plan was given first reading at the regional district鈥檚 Jan. 9 meeting. 

Preliminary work on this budget was conducted in 2024, with budget workshops held on Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.

Now that the budget has been given first reading, the regional district will begin its public engagement process, with a series of four roadshow events as well as information being presented in other ways. 

The proposed date for adoption of the Five-Year Financial Plan is March 6.

The board must approve its budget by March 31.