Referendum results confirmed in West Kelowna city hall vote

WEST KELOWNA – Results from the city hall referendum in West Kelowna have been confirmed with the No side winning a slight majority over supporters of the civic centre project.

Chief electoral officer Tracy Batten said the processes and procedures used during the election have been reviewed and certified as correct and there is no plans for a line-by-line examination of the voters list, despite the close results.

Batten said the no side took 4,212 votes to 4,185 for the yes side.

While a judicial recount is possible, Batten said it would have to come from a third party who would then have to petition the B.C. Provincial Court.

Chief adminstrative officer Jim Zaffino said the city has no plans to challenge the results and will instead begin to look at other options to reduce overcrowding of staff at the current municipal hall.

The referendum sought consent of voters to spend $7.7 million for a new city hall.

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