COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2026 Budget
Council received a presentation by Garry Filafilo, Chief Financial Officer, on the Draft 2026 Provisional Budget. During preliminary budget preparation, Council challenged staff to keep the tax increase to under 5% and the draft 2026 budget has achieved that with a proposed increase of 4.87%. This equates to approximately $80 more in annual taxes on an average household assessment of $877,500, based on the BC Assessment preview roll for 2026. This is a reduction from last year’s average assessment of $890,700. If a home’s assessment is higher or lower than the average, their tax increase will also be higher or lower than average.
Budget Highlights
The 4.87% increase includes 1.2% for contributions to a future expenditure. Beginning 2024, Council approved the emergency reserve to fund unexpected events, for example forest fires experienced this summer or a possible upcoming byelection.
The remaining 3.67% is to fund District operating requests, contract increases for CUPE staff and general cost increases to services.
The increase does not include items the District does not control, ie: police services, transit or taxes collected for other governments. These items will come forward in final budget in April 2026.
Operating & Capital highlights for 2026:
Addition of one new Parks Department staff - $79,092
Addition of Training Officer for Peachland Fire & Rescue - $97,500 (half funded through a grant)
Trepanier Bench Road Paving - $450,000
Facility maintenance - $100,000
Swim Bay dock replacement - $65,000
Historic Schoolhouse elevator replacement - $50,000
Stormwater Master Plan - $50,000 (grant dependent)
Information technology upgrades to District facilities - $35,000
Speed Monitor Signs - $20,000
Enhanced community events - $15,000
Beach Avenue bike racks - $15,000
2026 Election - $14,000
Peachland Community Centre parking lot capacity improvements - $10,000
Peachland Legion 100th anniversary event - $10,000
Beach Avenue bus stop benches at Priority 1 locations - $10,000
Note: Peachland Fire & Rescue gratefully received an anonymous $200,000 donation which will replace a fire services vehicle.
The District will host a public open house to discuss the draft 2026-2031 Financial Plan on Tuesday, February 25, 2026 from 5 to 7 pm. Council will consider the first readings of the financial plan in April 2026 with final adoption expected in May. Property tax notices will be mailed to residents in June.
View the Draft 2026 Provisional Budget
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Draft 2026 Provisional Budget
Council approved the 2026 Provisional Budget, the topic of a workshop at the earlier Committee of the Whole meeting. For staff to move forward with critical capital projects and to continue the District’s daily operations, the Finance Department requested approval for provisional operating and capital budgets.
5631 Wild Goose Street Development
Council authorized the issuance of a Form and Character Development Permit for 5631 Wild Goose Street to permit the construction of an 89-unit multiple-unit residential building. Council varied the parking requirements for the site and increased the allowable maximum building height to accommodate a five-storey building. The development is adjacent to Peachland Elementary School and the Peachland BGCO Child Care entre currently under construction. A pedestrian access will be included to connect the north end of Wild Goose Street to Trepanier Creek Linear Park. The development is consistent with the applicable Development Permit Guidelines contained in the Official Community Plan. The landscaping plan includes an outdoor gathering area featuring a propane fire pit, barbecue facilities, and a fenced community garden space, all of which contribute to a sense of community. These outdoor elements—and the broader landscape design—are consistent with FireSmart principles, supporting long-term safety and resilience.
Mail Ballot Procedure Amended
Council adopted an amendment to the District’s Mail Ballot Procedure bylaw. The amendment removes outdated eligibility criteria and aligns the District’s mail ballot procedure with current provincial legislation which allows any eligible elector to request and receive a mail ballot
Council Appointments
Councillor Alena Glasman was appointed as Deputy Mayor for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Council term. Councillor Glasman will fill the vacancy left after the death of Councillor Keith Thom in November.
Outdoor & Food Vending Policy
Council directed that staff review the Outdoor and Food Vending Encroachment Policy which guides outdoor vending on public spaces like sidewalks and road rights-of-ways. Following several years of operation under the current policy framework, staff have identified that the existing locations of Doggy Beach Boat Launch and along Beach Avenue no longer align effectively with pedestrian circulation patterns, parking limitations, evolving community expectations, or the financial feasibility of maintaining viable vending opportunities. Specifically, there is increased activity along the waterfront and in the downtown core, conflicts between vendors and adjacent businesses have arisen, vendors are requesting increased access to high-demand areas, and there are issues with noise, parking availability and pedestrian safety. Proposed changes that will be considered are the creation of a new vending location near 14th Street and Todd Road along Beach Avenue (one vendor, trial run), expanding vendor capacity at 13th Street and Beach Avenue and removing two vendor spaces at 6th Street and Beach Avenue and adjacent to Heritage Park.
4607 Princeton Avenue Development
Council authorized the issuance of a Form and Character Development Permit for 4607 Princeton Avenue to permit the construction of a 22-unit townhouse development with six buildings. It is surrounded by a mix of single- and multi-family properties in the immediate vicinity. The property is currently vacant. Access for the development will be off Princeton Avenue. Environmentally sensitive areas will be protected and invasive species removed. A small walking loop and community garden plots are included in the development. The development aligns with the District’s Official Community Plan.
Rise & Report - Acting Chief Administrative Officer Announcement
On behalf of Peachland Council, Mayor Patrick Van Minsel announced that the District of Peachland’s Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Cory Labrecque, will be stepping into the role of Acting Chief Administrative Officer effective January 5, 2026. This transition reflects the solid foundation built by CAO Joe Creron and his management team as they worked to position us well for continuing success.
Mr. Creron will remain with the District until April 15, 2026, at which time Mr. Labrecque will assume the CAO role. Mr. Creron will remain available to support the District in an advisory capacity as needed. Council extends its sincerest appreciation to Mr. Creron for his service to Peachland for the past four years and are grateful for the momentum he has created.
Mr. Labrecque, who has been with the organization for four years and was born and raised in Peachland, brings proven commitment and a deep organizational understanding to the role. Council is looking forward to this new chapter for the District of Peachland.
Next Council Meeting
The next Regular Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, beginning at 3 pm. Council meetings are open to the public and webcast live. Find the full schedule by visiting www.peachland.ca/government/meetings. Find webcasts of past meetings at www.peachland.ca/government/meetings/archived-webcasts. Keep informed; subscribe to get news and event information emailed directly to you at www.peachland.ca/services/subscribe.