B.C’s newest municipality Okanagan Falls’ elects inaugural mayor and council

B.C’s newest municipality Okanagan Falls’ elects inaugural mayor and council

Published 10:16 pm Saturday, October 17, 2026

B.C.’s newest municipality has its first mayor. Matt Taylor has been elected mayor of the District of Okanagan Falls.

According to Civic Info BC, Taylor received 780 votes to Tyler Johnsen’s 312 and Glen Innes’ 106.

The Penticton Western spoke with Taylor shortly after he received the news himself.

“I feel good,” said Taylor. “I think it was a decisive result, and I look forward to being able to benefit the community with having some experience in government.”

Joining Taylor at the inaugural council table will be Amy Bydal, Allison Symons, Randy Ludwar and Eugene Dettling.

A total of 1,207 ballots were cast in the election according to the preliminary results, out of a total eligible electorate of 2,360, which equates to about a 51 per cent turnout rate.

“I would like to say thanks to the residents of Okanagan Falls for taking the time to show out in strong numbers for the vote,” said Taylor. ” I would like to say thanks for all the candidates, both at the mayor level and the councilor level, and the teams that worked with them, and obviously I’d like to thank my own supporters and my family for giving me the time.”

Okanagan Falls’ residents voted in a 2025 referendum to incorporate as a municipality, the first to be established since 2016.

The inaugural meeting of the District of Okanagan Falls’ new council will finish off the incorporation process on Nov. 6.