Episode 121: Matt and Taylor are joined by Tom Dyas, the Mayor of Kelowna, who was elected for the first time in 2022.

Tom moved from Toronto to BC in 1986 to be the executive sous chef at Expo. He then went on to be executive chef of Delta Hotels in Whistler. In May of 1987 Tom went into the insurance and financial industry creating his own company, TD Benefits, which he has proudly owned and operated ever since.  Over his 40 years in the insurance and financial industry, his company has won numerous awards for customer service, growth of business, and client retention.

In 1996, Tom and his family moved to the Okanagan, where he has always been actively involved in the community, coaching local soccer clubs and sitting on the Boards of Kelowna Minor Hockey, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, the Okanagan College Advisory and the Child Advocacy Centre and chair of the 2020 Memorial Cup Host Committee.

Along with being the Mayor, Tom currently sits on the RDCO Board as a Director, Chair of the Airport Advisory Committee, Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, Chair of the Mayor's Task Force on Performing Arts, Member of the BCUMC, as part of the RDCO board a representative on the Municipal Finance Committee, sits on the board of Uptown Rutland Business Association, and a member of the Audit Committee.

Tom is here to discuss:
→ The direction of Kelowna since Tom has been Mayor and it's restructured budget model, where he sees Kelowna in the next 5 years, and if Kelowna should always be the fastest growing city in Canada.

→ The provincial exemption on short-term rentals, STR, for Kelowna which goes into effect on June 1st, why Kelowna was more restrictive on STR in the first place and how this iteration will be different than before the ban, and what will happen if the vacancy rate drops below the STR threshold.

→ Balancing developing city infrastructure like parks and neighbourhoods with affordability, how the city is looking to combat housing affordability, and the recent reduction of DCCs in Kelowna by 25%.

→ How funding works when it comes to policing, which is fully city controlled, and education & healthcare, which is provincially controlled, and how these jurisdictional differences impact some of the city's biggest problems when it comes to addiction, mental health, and crime.

→ The most difficult thing the city deals with, crime & safety, investing $60 million annually into RCMP & bylaw officers, and the city's innovative tiny homes initiative to help people experiencing homelessness.

→ The city's refocus on economic prosperity and bringing in special events, including the Brier, CCMAs, Memorial Cup, & BC Lions games.

→ What the future holds for Kelowna's airport expansion, the Glenmore Plan, multiple community rec centers, Lions Park, & Prospera Place.

Matt & Taylor discuss:
→ Matt's career change from residential to full-time commercial Realtor and switching brokerages, being nominated for a 3rd time by Kelowna Now for Best Podcast, and how you can vote for us!

City of Kelowna Website: https://www.kelowna.ca
City of Kelowna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityofkelowna
City of Kelowna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-kelowna/
City of Kelowna YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityofkelowna
Tom Dyas' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayortomdyas/
Tom Dyas' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdyas/
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
8:05 The Direction of Kelowna Since Tom Has Been the Mayor
11:45 STR Coming Back to Kelowna
14:32 What Will Happen if the Vacancy Rate Dips Below STR Threshold?
15:56 Why Was Kelowna More Restrictive on STR Than the Province?
19:58 Should Kelowna Always Be the Fastest Growing City in Canada?
21:19 Helping Housing Affordability & Reducing DCC Fees by 25%
25:59 Balancing Developing Infrastructure & Affordability
38:07 Can the City Be Involved/Fund Education & Health Care?
30:58 How Funding Works for Crime Prevention & Policing
35:23 The Most Difficult Thing the City Deals with & It's Best Achievement
39:08 Kelowna in the Next 5 Years
41:54 Wrap-Up
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CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast: http://www.kelownarealestatepodcast.com
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KelownaRealEstatePodcast
Kelowna Real Estate Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelownarealestatepodcast/
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CONNECT WITH MATT
Venture Commercial Website: https://venturecommercial.ca
Matt Glen's Email: matt.glen@venturecommercial.ca
Matt Glen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmattglen/
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CONNECT WITH TAYLOR
Taylor Atkinson's Website: https://www.venturemortgages.com
Taylor Atkinson's Email: taylor@venturemortgages.com
Taylor Atkinson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturemortgages/
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