Okanagan Falls elects first mayor and council for new municipality

B.C.'s newest municipality, the District of Okanagan Falls, has elected its inaugural mayor and council, according to reports from quesnelobserver.com and cranbrooktownsman.com. Matt Taylor won the mayoral race with 780 votes, outpacing Tyler Johnsen's 312 and Glen Innes's 106 votes.

The election saw a turnout of about 51 percent, with 1,207 ballots cast from an eligible electorate of 2,360. Joining Mayor Taylor on the inaugural council will be Amy Bydal, Allison Symons, Randy Ludwar, and Eugene Dettling.

Taylor expressed gratitude to the community for their participation and support, noting his experience in government and eagerness to benefit the community. Residents had voted in a 2025 referendum to incorporate as a municipality, the first new municipality established in B.C. since 2016.

The inaugural council meeting is scheduled for November 6, which will complete the incorporation process for the District of Okanagan Falls.