Our Views

City Finances

The provincial government treats municipal governments as self-governing entities, which can lead to inconsistent interpretations of legislation and uneven application of laws—potentially undermining fairness and accountability to citizens.

Like many municipalities, Kamloops continues to raise taxes, a practice that taxpayers have historically accepted as the norm. However, without external oversight, financial decisions are often made with little to no input from the public, leaving citizens with limited control over how their tax dollars are spent.

The current city council has approved pay increases that surpass average rates for comparable external positions. Senior management salaries take up a substantial portion of the budget. KCU advocates for a transparent annual review of salaries and job descriptions to ensure compensation aligns with appropriate levels for roles.

Our municipal government must reevaluate its fiscal priorities. If claims of financial stability are true, tax reductions should follow. If not, budget cuts or operational efficiencies must be considered. While we do not seek to micromanage, taxpayers must hold City Hall accountable—especially in light of Kamloops’ high tax rate and the substantial increase in 2024.

The increase in the cost of living (COL), coupled with OAS adjustments, has been far outpaced by municipal utility rate hikes, highlighting the financial strain on residents.

These hikes, along with tax increases to fund projects like the PAC, Arena Multiplex, new RCMP Station, a new City Hall-and soon a curling and racquet sports complex, an aquatics centre, and an indoor fieldhouse on top of a nearly 10% rise in property taxes; have made it increasingly difficult for seniors and others to afford living in Kamloops. The growing disparity between income adjustments and rising costs underscores the serious financial challenges facing many residents

In 2024, Canada’s cost of living, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), saw an increase of 2.4%. Old Age Security (OAS) increased 2%.

2024 Municipal Utility Rate Increases in Kamloops:

Water Utility increases by 25% (Castanet)

Solid Waste Utility Increased by 25% (Let’s Talk Kamloops)

Sewer Utility increases by 7% (Let’s Talk Kamloops)

City Priorities

What underlies the municipal spending problem is that local governments have gone much too far beyond their core mandate of supplying police, fire and public works.

Municipal governments are responsible for managing public funds and prioritizing spending based on the community’s needs. In fiscally responsible budgeting, needs come before wants.

Essential services and public safety must be the top priorities for Kamloops City Hall. This includes critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, safe sidewalks for children walking to school (e.g., Parkcrest Ave), improved accessibility for the disabled and elderly (such as sidewalk ramps and repairs to damaged or obstructed sidewalks), an emergency evacuation route for Westsyde, road improvements for Ord Rd, Todd Rd, and Rose Hill. As the current Crime Capital of Canada, many residents feel unsafe in our city. Now more than ever, ensuring the safety of all citizens should be a priority.

A performing arts centre and multiplex are costly wants, not necessities. The Sandman Centre remains underutilized and financially struggling, with issues like concert promoters avoiding Kamloops left unaddressed. Additionally, the PAC’s construction costs nearly double those of Kelowna’s, raising concerns. The multiplex loan bylaw was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) before detailed plans were even finalized. Many residents find the proposed location inconvenient, suggesting rinks could have been added to MacArthur Island instead. There are also concerns that site limitations will restrict future expansion.Rather than prioritizing expensive vanity projects or comparing Kamloops to cities like Kelowna, City Council should focus on efficiency and sustainability—before rising costs force residents out of their homes. It is not too late to change course.

Housing

We recognize the need for diverse housing options to address the current crisis. However, there must be a stronger focus on subsidized housing for seniors and working families struggling financially—such as larger homes or condominiums for families—rather than the continued emphasis on shelters and supportive housing.

While homelessness and addiction fall under provincial jurisdiction, municipalities bear the impact.

The proposed supportive housing facility at Fortune Drive and Leigh Road on the North Shore raised concerns among residents, many of whom contacted City Hall and BC Housing. Despite this, BC Housing only held three one-hour information sessions on a single day. Although they claim additional community consultations took place, their application states that only 15 individuals were consulted.

Sandman Centre

Recreational facilities like arenas often risk becoming underutilized investments, leading to significant missed revenue opportunities. The Sandman Centre is a prime example, with some questioning, “The city struggles to manage the Sandman-what makes the city believe the PAC will be different?”

A lack of events and effective promotion means the venue isn’t reaching its full potential, both in terms of community engagement and financial returns. Addressing these challenges is crucial to turning the facility into a profitable and well-utilized asset.

More significant efforts should be made to promote the arena, and updating its website with more positive and inviting language could attract potential users and improve its appeal, compared to similar venues.

The image below highlights that, from March 24 to September 13, 2025, Kelowna and Prince George arenas have secured 15 and 13 events, respectively, while Kamloops has only booked 2. The city should emphasize the arena’s versatility, noting its ability to transition from a 746-seat theatre to a 6,400-seat venue. If sound quality poses a challenge, it must be addressed.

Public Engagement

In Kamloops, the municipal structure has always emphasized the importance of public involvement, and KCU is committed to empowering residents to take an active role in their community. However, the current city council’s ongoing suppression of public input directly contradicts their election promises, further risking the alienation of the very people they were elected to serve.

Residents have the right to understand how their tax dollars are being spent through clear and timely communication. They should also have a platform to provide feedback and voice their concerns. Transparent, honest communication about decisions, actions, and financial matters builds trust and ensures that citizens feel informed and engaged, not excluded or left in the dark.

In late 2024, following advice from senior administration staff, city council removed the public’s ability to engage with them in person during meetings, citing ongoing disruptive behavior. However, no concrete evidence was ever presented to justify this claim.The incident that led to this decision was a Zoom-bombing—an issue that frequently occurs in government settings lacking proper IT security. Despite this, after the issue was fixed, the council chose to place the blame on the local community- rather than addressing their security gap as the reason.In response to public backlash, the city administration proposed bringing back public inquiries. Yet, citizens are still unable to speak directly to council members or staff during bi-weekly meetings unless the topic is specifically listed on the agenda. With no avenue to address unrelated issues, residents are left with no choice but to turn to other channels to communicate with their representatives.

Residents reported that emails sent to current city council members or staff often go unanswered. Public inquiries are now regularly redirected to the “Let’s Talk” webpage, but responses there have been just as lacking.

Kamloops City Hall incorrectly stated that other municipalities have removed the public inquiries portion from council meetings. In reality, the information referred to public question periods, not the ability to make inquiries during meetings.

The current city council does not allow public inquiries at Committee of the Whole meetings, further restricting opportunities for public input.

Every “Build Kamloops” meeting held by the current city council has been closed to the public, with no explanation given for this lack of transparency.

The council has also placed restrictions on the public’s ability to file complaints under the Code of Conduct, dismissing them as “vexatious” without clear guidelines or an avenue for redress.

Commenting remains disabled on the City of Kamloops’ official Facebook page, effectively silencing public interaction on social media.

Despite being billed as “Town Hall-style,” the “Community + Council Conversations” events have left many attendees feeling disappointed. At one event, citizens noted the presence of two RCMP officers in a small room, along with requirements to wear nametags and write ideas on sticky notes for placement on boards. Many felt this overly structured format stifled meaningful conversation and didn’t provide a genuine platform for them to voice concerns.

The “Build Kamloops Working Groups” consist of 54 individuals, most of whom are employed by or have ties to the city through partnerships, contracts, businesses, or grant funding. Of the 19 “Community Volunteers,” 5 were contributors to the election campaigns of current city councillors. KCU believes these groups should include residents unaffiliated with the city to ensure broader, more inclusive representation.

Council Behavior

Kamloops has spent the past 2.5 years caught in political infighting and unprofessional behavior, leaving residents frustrated and disillusioned. The council’s “us versus them” mentality, combined with their lack of transparency and accountability, has created a rift that’s dividing the community. Meanwhile, taxpayer dollars are being squandered on politically driven Code of Conduct complaints and unnecessary legal expenses, instead of being used to address the real needs of the people

When leadership is fractured, it’s the citizens who bear the brunt of the fallout.

Taxpayers have condemned the unprofessional comments and behavior of councillors, highlighting the arrogance and lack of accountability that have fueled this prolonged and needless conflict:

Counsellor Katie Neustaeter’s comments for citizens she represents who disagreed with the performing arts center or the process: “Get your heads out of the sand and the weeds.”

Councillor Katie Neustaeter’s writing of a March/25 article in Castanet Kelowna in referring to citizens that oppose the Kamloops performing arts centre: “Although they are irrefutably the minority, the negative voices who don’t believe we should have the things we need to thrive in Kamloops have dominated the direction of our city for so long” as well as saying “Some people are angry with life and visionless for our city.”

Councillor Kelly Hall saying “We have a dysfunctional mayor who likes to climb around the riverbanks and tell you about it.” (In reference to the mayor speaking to homeless people.)

Councillor Kelly Hall calling the mayor “Weak-kneed”, and saying “I find you an embarrassment to our community and I still say to this day, you need to resign.” (During an Aug/24 council meeting in which the mayor asked that council cancel the AAP for the PAC and Multiplex until conceptual design was completed.)

Councillor Kelly Hall saying “It’s unfortunate that the actions of one resident have resulted in additional costs to all local taxpayers.” (In reference to the AAP legal action brought about by residents and filed by Kathrine Wunderlich after receiving no communication via all other appropriate avenues.)

Councillor Margot Middleton during an open council meeting repeatedly interrupting the mayor, and saying “Point of order your honour-the AAP is not on the agenda.” when the mayor was attempting to allow a member of the public to address the AAP. Despite countless public requests, council and administration refused to add the AAP as an item on the agenda from it’s July 30^th adoption-until September 24^th-11 days after the deadline had passed for filling out “No” forms. No residents were permitted to speak to council about anything pertaining to the $275M potential taxpayer loans-despite misinformation and a lack of information from the City of Kamloops.

In her 2022 election campaign, Councillor Margot Middleton pledged to donate her council salary to local charities, emphasizing her financial independence. While we trust she has fulfilled this promise, it would be prudent for the Councillor to provide evidence of her commitment for the sake of transparency.

Councillor Stephen Karpuk in an open council meeting repeatedly accusing the mayor of making a fart joke at an official business dinner. (Councillor Karpuk apologized after the real joke maker came forward.)

Councillor Bill Sarai secretly recorded and released to the media an edited argument he had with the mayor, portraying the mayor as guilty. He then voted on continual sanctions against the mayor’s, all the while concealing his deception to council members, city staff, and the taxpaying public.
After the RCMP investigation and full recording went public, his guilt was revealed, and he apologized. However, no penalty has been imposed by his fellow councillors, with city hall citing “The information you are seeking may be disclosed through a council directive. Until such time, no information is available” This highlights a stark contrast in handling sanctions involving the mayor. KCU urges the Braun report be disregarded or redone by an impartial advisor for the taxpayers’ trust.

Councillor Bill Sarai saying he was uncomfortable giving out money (grants) to (non-profit) groups who don’t like (criticize) council’s policies.

Councillor Bill Sarai suggesting that “Everyone reach out to Acacia and request you don’t want to sit at his table. Unless you do want to sit at his table,” in an apparent reference to Chamber of Commerce executive director Acacia Pangilinan and the evening’s AGM at which Mayor Hamer-Jackson was scheduled to speak.

Councillor Bill Sarai’s son Nicholas Sarai is a CSO. In July of 2022, he veered a city-owned vehicle onto the sidewalk on Valleyview Drive, sideswiping a lady walking her dogs, causing knee and shoulder injuries; and knocking down a bus stop sign. He was fined and ticketed for driving without due care, but there was no indication of disciplinary action against the him by the city.

Councillor Dale Bass calling residents with concerns about potential “wet” housing being established in their Tranquille neighborhood “Nimby’s”.

Councillor Dale Bass not calling residents “Nimby’s” when the same type of housing was to potentially be established in the Lorne St neighborhood where Councillor Margo Middleton’s son had started a Facebook group in opposition of it.

Councillor Dale Bass advising other council members “I’m going to suggest our table have no knives,” in reference to Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s attendance at a business dinner.

Councillor Dale Bass in referring to the skyrocketing legal issues this term, “So what you’re saying is that we’re facing a society that is much more litigious than in the past with not much regard for reality or facts.”

Councillor Dale Bass contemptuously calling engaged citizens who take the time to attend city council meetings “Frequent flyers.”

Although not a council member-CAO Byron McCorkell’s habit of falling asleep, and of playing on his phone during council meetings.

AAP Lawsuit

Instead of holding a referendum, the current city council used the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) reverse voting system for Kamloops’ largest-ever capital projects—the $275 million PAC and Multiplex bylaws. Following the PAC’s defeat in the 2015 referendum, the previous council had planned another vote, but it was postponed due to COVID-19. This shift in process left many citizens feeling frustrated and misled, perceiving the city was using underhanded tactics to push the bylaws through.

A significant concern, especially among senior citizens who make up a third of the city’s population, was the lack of public notice for such large projects. Many residents reported they were unaware of the need to vote due to the absence of newspaper ads or electoral mailouts.

While KCU does not oppose the projects themselves, the organization strongly objects to the process used. The city bypassed a referendum and ignored best practices outlined in provincial AAP guidelines, instead adhering to outdated legislation that prioritized government and developer interests over those of the taxpayers.

Residents who opposed the AAP exhausted all other avenues, including contacting city council, attending meetings where they were denied the chance to speak, and reaching out to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. An Ombudsperson investigation was initiated but ultimately set aside because of the legal 30-day window required to challenge the AAP in court.

KCU co-organizer Kathrine Wunderlich filed a legal petition on behalf of residents, focusing on technicalities in the legislation, as provincial AAP guidelines are non-binding. While the petition was unsuccessful, an intent to appeal was filed in March 2024. Justice Groves expressed concern over the use of the AAP for significant bylaws, noting that it may serve as a warning to council about citizens’ expectations for a traditional referendum process when such decisions would impose significant debt or tax burdens. The judge did not award costs to the city, stating that the petitioner, raising a “reasonable concern,” should not bear the costs of a large municipality. However, the City of Kamloops appealed the decision.

By March 2025, Kathrine decided that continuing the legal fight would impose a financial burden neither she nor the taxpayers should bear.

Integrity Commissioner

The city’s reliance on the expensive legal system for complaints shifts the financial burden onto taxpayers and lacks effective resolution.

Before May 2023, the city CAO managed complaints, but the City’s new Code of Conduct bylaw mandates that complaints be handled by a third-party investigator-usually a lawyer already working for the city-adding to costs and perceived potential bias.

KCU advocates for the City of Kamloops to appoint a genuinely independent Integrity Officer to develop, enforce, and oversee codes of conduct while addressing complaints.

An Integrity Officer in Kamloops would be more cost-efficient than third-party investigations, with salaries ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 annually; significantly lower than the $287,107 spent on complaints between July 2023 and December 2024. This does not include the recent investigation undertaken into Councillor Sarai, that some question as unnecessary as he admitted guilt.

Following complaints submitted by a former city councillor as a member of the public, the city CAO and the Corporate Services division recommended amending the Code of Conduct Bylaw to restrict complaints to members of the public who serve on council committees or working groups, along with Council members and City staff. City council approved these amendments, effectively excluding the general public from the process and leaving residents without an adequate complaint procedure.

21 different Code of Conduct complaints were filed between July 2023 to Dec 2024 in Kamloops.
12 complaints were made by Councillor Dale Bass against the mayor

Kelowna had 4 complaints between September 2023 and September 2024-all from the public.

Unlike BC, where breaches are not centrally tracked, Ontario mandates integrity commissioners to ensure transparency.

City of Kamloops Director of Corporate Services David Hallinan said on Jan 25/25: “Our (legal) budget is $500,000. Last year, we spent $1.6 million. There is a shortfall.” (Legal bills for Councillor Katie Neustaeters’ defence team against the mayor since council chose to indemnify her was not mentioned.)