The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has authorized the expenditure of $155,006.71 for the purchase of curbside garbage carts.
This funding will come from various Community Works Program (Gas Tax) Reserves Funds.
The cost of purchasing the carts and starting the curbside cart program was $2,306,304.95, plus GST.
In the 2025 regional district budget, the amount approved was $2,111,322.
This difference represents the cost of surplus carts.
To make up the difference, most electoral areas within the regional district have used funds from the Community Works Program (Gas Tax) Reserve Fund.
However, Electoral Area E (Naramata) and the Village of Keremeos have gone to debt servicing.
The funding does not increase user fees for the areas that are using the reserve funds. For those in Electoral Area E, the debt servicing cost is expected to increase the curbside bill from $50 to $55. In Keremeos, the bills are expected to increase from $28 to $40.
