B.C. will soon be getting a new municipality
Residents of Okanagan Falls have voted for the community to be incorporated as B.C.’s newest municipality.
According to the referendum’s preliminary voting results, a total of 1,100 ballots were cast, with 588 residents voting in favour of incorporation and 512 against.
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Okanagan Falls is located on the south shore of Skaha Lake in the Okanagan Valley and is currently part of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) Area D.
Data from the 2021 census found the community was home to 2,266 people at the time.
An October 2024 update from the Okanagan Falls Incorporation Study Committee provided further information about what would happen if the community voted “yes.”
Okanagan Falls Visitor Centre/Facebook
“If Okanagan Falls were to incorporate, it would be governed by a local Council consisting of a mayor and [four] councillors,” reads the document.
“Currently, the provincial government has authority over Okanagan Falls’ policing, roads, and subdivision approval. If Okanagan Falls were to incorporate, it would have authority over local roads (not Highway 97) and subdivision approval. Policing would remain under the authority of the Province.”
It added that incorporation would lead to more decision-making power for Okanagan Falls but an increase in local property taxes. Residential properties valued at $500,000 would see a tax increase of about $289.
According to the RDOS, the declaration of official results is anticipated on March 26, 2025, making it B.C.’s 162nd municipality.