District of Coldstream receives Canadian Award for Financial Reporting
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the District of Coldstream the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for its 2024 Annual Financial Report. The award program recognizes Canadian municipal governments that publish high-quality financial reports and supports officials with peer recognition and technical guidance. Coldstream’s report was reviewed by an impartial Canadian Review Committee and was found to meet the program’s high standards, including a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” that clearly communicates the municipality’s financial story.
2025 Financial Statements
Council received a presentation from the District’s external auditors on the annual audit of its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025. The presentation summarized the auditors’ key findings and provided Council with an opportunity to ask questions about the financial statement audit.
Council accepted the 2025 audited financial statements.
Students Present Proposal for Protecting Kalamalka Lake
Council received a delegation from Vernon Senior Secondary students, who are participating in the Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) project with School District 22. The students presented a proposal to mitigate littering and illegal dumping at Kalamalka Lake by replacing existing signage and adding new educational signs at key access points (Kalamalka Beach parking lot, Kal Lake beach and pier, the boat launch, and the boat trailer parking lot on Kalavista Drive), supported by fundraising and a social media awareness campaign. The delegation emphasized Kalamalka Lake’s importance as a vital community water source and encouraged the public to treat the lake as a shared resource—not a dumping ground for garbage, gasoline, or sewage.
Council was pleased to hear from the students and commended their efforts on this important initiative. As per Council Procedures, the request will be discussed at the next Council meeting.
2026 Tax Rates Bylaw Adopted
Council adopted the District of Coldstream Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1872, 2026. This Bylaw sets the municipal property tax rates for the year, determining how much property owners contribute toward funding local services such as roads, parks, emergency services, and community amenities.
A tax rate bylaw is adopted annually as part of the District’s financial planning process and ensures the municipality can collect the revenue needed to deliver services and carry out approved projects for the year ahead.
Second Dwellings on Agricultural Land Reserve
Following a delegation at the April 13, 2026 Regular Council Meeting, where delegates requested that the District consider reducing the minimum lot size required for an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), Council received a report regarding the history and context of second dwellings on properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Currently, the District permits ADUs only on ALR properties that are 4.0 hectares or larger.
After carefully considering the information, Council has requested more information from Administration and Greater Vernon Water prior to moving forward with further deliberations. In the meantime, property owners who wish to add a secondary dwelling can apply to re-zone their property by contacting the District office.