Message from the
Chief Administrative Officer
This District of Lake Country Annual Report reflects the efforts
and accomplishments that our local government has achieved in
2015. I am very pleased to provide you with these achievements
and an outline of upcoming goals and objectives as the
organization has worked hard to accomplish many goals that
have made and are making a huge difference in the community.
Our newly elected Council was busy finalizing many projects and
staff have provided tremendous support to complete many of
these projects.
The major highlight was the purchase of the Okanagan Rail
Corridor which was supported by 75% of the voters in a
referendum to borrow the necessary funds for the acquisition of
this important asset. In 2016 and following years, the District of
Lake Country and its partners in this acquisition will work on
securing funds, designing the corridor, and proceeding with its
development. This will be a unique recreational and
transportation asset that will benefit residents and visitors alike for many generations to come.
Lake Country’s continuous commitment to the improvement of our infrastructure has taken a big step forward with
the approval of the Transportation for Tomorrow plan and its funding formula. The plan will secure a methodical
approach to the renewal of roads throughout the District. It will also work in tandem with the Water Master Plan,
which has been in the implementation phase for the last three years and will continue as scheduled. In addition, at
the District we also recognize the importance of completing other critical infrastructure plans and for this reason, in
2015 we have begun working on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and have continued working on the Liquid
Waste Management Plan.
We were also pleased to secure the ratification of the Collective Agreement with the Union (CUPE). In the last few
years, the District and the Union have been working towards a culture of teamwork and cooperation, and this
contract shows the commitment to that culture by both parties.
Council held its second Strategy Session after the last municipal election in December of 2015 and confirmed the
Strategic Priorities for the District for the next budget cycle. While a list of both Council and Departmental priorities
can be viewed as part of this report, it is worth noting that the new Council’s focus is still in the following areas:
Improving the overall quality of life of the residents;
Creating Economic Development opportunities; and
Managing growth and infrastructure.
Once again, Lake Country continues to be one of the fastest growing municipalities in BC. In fact, with a 7.6%
population increase in 2015, Lake Country was the fastest growing municipality in BC. Lake Country has now passed
the 14,000 population mark and has experienced the highest level of construction and, as a consequence, the
highest number of building permits since its incorporation in 1995.
2015 Annual Report
6|Page