Town of Golden Newsletter: May 2026 Get ready to ride, GoByBike Week is May 30-June 5 
Skip the traffic and construction and give your vehicle a break! The Town of Golden, Golden Cycling Club and Golden Chamber of Commerce challenge you to bike or roll (skateboard, scooter, rollerblade) as much as possible, to work, school or just for fun, during GoByBike Week, May 30 to June 5. “Golden’s incredible trail network makes it easy to choose active transportation for everyday trips,” said Mayor Ron Oszust. “GoByBike Week is a great reminder that getting around without a vehicle can be fun, convenient, and good for your health. I encourage everyone to take advantage of our scenic routes and give biking or rolling a try this summer.” Golden has over 40 kilometres of trails, pathways and sidewalks to help you get around Golden. While out on the trails, be safe and share the space with these tips: For cyclists, e-bikes and e-scooters: - Slow down and yield when approaching pedestrians.
- Pass on the left, leave space, and use your voice, “passing on your left,” bell or horn to warn others of passing.
- If riding on the road, always travel in the same direction as traffic and follow the rules of the road.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Don’t ride your bike, e-bike, or e-scooter on sidewalks.
For pedestrians: - Do not block the path.
- Watch for other users on bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters.
- Stay to the right of the path.
- If walking on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
Dogs: - Please make sure your dog is leashed unless you are in one of the five designated off-leash areas. View the off-leash map at golden.ca/dogs
- If your dog is off-leash in a designated area, your dog must be monitored and under hand/voice control at all times. If your dog doesn’t have recall, it shouldn’t be off-leash.
- Respect other dogs and owners. Just because your dog is friendly doesn't mean other dogs are. Some dogs may be nervous, reactive, fearful, in training, or owned by people who want to be left alone.
- Scoop that poop! Let's keep our shoes, trails and parks clean by using one of over 20 pet waste bag stations located around Golden and disposing of waste properly.
Read the full news release here, or visit www.golden.ca/gobybike to learn more. | Council Briefs Find out what's new at Town Hall with Council Briefs. Find out when the next Council meeting its: Upcoming Council Meetings | | Here is a recap of this month's Council meetings. Meeting agendas and minutes are available at www.golden.civicweb.net and meeting recordings are available on the Town's YouTube channel. 2025 Annual Report
The 2025 Annual Report is now available for the public to view. Copies are also available for pick up at Town Hall. The report will be reviewed and presented to Town Council during its Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, at 1:15 p.m. in Council Chambers and virtually via Zoom. Public commentary and questions will be invited at this time. To view current and past annual reports, visit golden.ca/annualreport. 2026 Budget and Property Tax Rates
On May 5, Council approved the 2026 Budget and 2026–2030 Financial Plan following public engagement and consideration of Town services, infrastructure needs, and service levels. The 2026 Budget addresses rising operating and infrastructure costs while allowing the Town to maintain service levels and invest in key initiatives. Council also adopted the 2026 Tax Rates Bylaw on May 5. Municipal tax rates determine how much each property class contributes, and the revenue collected supports Town operations and service delivery. Learn more at www.golden.ca/budget | Kicking Horse Culture Youth Mural
Council approved the use of the wooden enclosure on Town property, located between Town Hall and the Okanagan Regional Library, for a youth mural to be installed and maintained by Kicking Horse Culture. The mural will be developed as part of a Youth Mural Camp this summer in collaboration with local professional artist, Chris Pecora and with the support of the Golden Library and the Golden Co-op Radio. Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation Agreement
Council approved a 20-year infrastructure access agreement with the Columbia Basin Broadband Corporation for permission to install a new fibre cable within the Town of Golden's conduit in downtown Golden. Learn more here. Rec-Plex Block Washroom
Council directed staff to award a construction contract for the Rec-Plex block washroom and gazebo project. Work on this project is anticipated to start in August 2026, with completion by November 2026. Learn more here. Prestige Inn: Temporary Use Permit Staff Housing Renewal
Council authorized the renewal of a three-year Temporary Use Permit (TUP) for temporary staff housing to serve the needs of the Prestige Golden Hotel. Renewal of this Temporary Use Permit allows for meeting this need in the short term, until the company can develop a long-term solution. Learn more here. | |  2026 Property Tax Notices are in the mail!
Property taxes must be paid in full by July 2, 2026.
There are four ways to pay your property taxes: - In Person at Town Hall, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or through the mail slot at the front entrance.
- Using your online banking platform.
- Online using a credit card.
- Sending a cheque or Money Order in the mail.
Learn more about these payment options. Please note that payments made through financial institutions and other providers can take at least 4 business days to process. There will be a 10% penalty applied to any current balance outstanding – including unclaimed Home Owner Grants – applied on the day after the due date indicated on your Tax Notice. To learn more about taxes, including options for payment, visit golden.ca/tax If you have not received your tax bill, please email taxes@golden.ca or call 250-344-2271. Don’t forget that homeowners must apply for the homeowner's grant every year through the Province of BC. You can do that now at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or by calling 1-888-355-2700. Learn more about the budget and property tax rates here. | | | Stay aware, plan ahead and be FireSmart! Taking action to FireSmart your property can dramatically decrease the risk of a wildfire damaging your home. Here are a few tips to check in the Immediate Zone of your property – the first 1.5 metres around your home: - Remove leaves, needles, and debris
- Keep plants and mulch away from siding
- Choose non-combustible materials whenever possible
Small changes closest to your home can make a big difference! Golden’s FireSmart Coordinator, Michelangelo Mingarelli, can help you learn more about how to protect your property! Reach out anytime at firesmart@golden.ca or 250-344-1337. Learn more at www.golden.ca/firesmart You can also access the FireSmart home guide here. Part of being FireSmart is being prepared, staying aware and planning ahead. The Alertable Emergency Notification System is FREE for Golden and Area A, and is used by communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and across BC and Alberta. Get alerts your way: download the app or sign up for text, landline, or email notifications. You'll know what's happening when it matters most during an emergency like wildfires or floods in the area. Sign up now and customize your alerts for the locations that matter to you. For our area, you can sign up for Golden and/or Columbia Shuswap Electoral Area A: csrd.bc.ca/alertable | | | | Watering Restrictions This spring and summer, the Town of Golden is reminding residents to be mindful of water usage and to follow the Town's watering restrictions. Golden's water use is at its highest during this time, and lawn watering is a large contributor to increased use. Watering restrictions are put in place through a local bylaw to make sure residents water their lawns at appropriate times to lessen the impact on the local water supply and our distribution system capacity during peak times. What days can you water? - Odd numbered addresses are to water on odd days
- Even numbered addresses are to water on even days.
Only water during these times on your designated days: - In the morning between 4 and 10 a.m.
- In the evening between 7 and 10 p.m.
Automatic irrigation systems on a timer should be set to water between midnight and 6 a.m. on the appropriate day, as mentioned above. Hand watering of plants using a hose with a working spring-loaded shut-off nozzle or a handheld container is allowed at any time. For more information, including water conservation tips, visit golden.ca/waterconservation | | | Flood Watch for the Upper Columbia  On May 28, the River Forecast Centre issued a Flood Watch for the Upper Columbia and tributaries. Warmer weather over the past few days has led to increased snowmelt rates and rising river levels through the region. View the advisory here.
The Golden and Area Emergency Program is monitoring the situation and we will provide updates as necessary. With the potential for increased river flow, we would like to remind residents to use extra caution in and around the rivers during this time: - Exercise caution around riverbanks as fast-moving water can cause erosion and destabilization.
- Warn children about the dangers of fast-moving water, especially if you live near a river.
- Keep pets away from fast-moving water.
The River Forecast Centre continues to monitor conditions and will provide updates as conditions warrant. Have you signed up for Alertable yet? Alertable is a free mass notification system to help you stay safe, plan ahead and be in the know before and during an emergency or evacuation. Residents of Golden and Area A can sign up now at www.csrd.bc.ca/alertable | | | | |
