Snow Levy Boosted to Collect $5.8 Million
Prince George, B.C.- The snow removal budget for 2014 will be boosted to $5.8 million dollars, that’s an 800 thousand dollar boost to the snow levy, but down $200 thousand from what had been proposed.
Staff had recommended the levy be increased to collect $6 million. That increase was the single largest increase in the budget development which has been prepared with a maximum 2.5% increase in expenditures.
However, Council would like to see more work done on the sidewalks in the City, a reaction from a presentation earlier this week, which called on Council to do something to improve the accessibility for the disabled. Most sidewalks are not cut to road level at intersections, making it extremely difficult for those on motorized , or other style wheelchairs, from using the sidewalks.
By trimming back the snow levy boost, there is enough wriggle room to raise the $200 thousand dollars for sidewalk upgrades without having an impact on the overall tax 2.5% goal increase.
As for the current snow removal fund, there is about $900 thousand left of the $5 million collected for 2013. Superintendent of Operations, Bill Gaal says if there is significant snowfall between now and the end of the year, the fund will, once again, be in the red. The fund has gone over budget in 8 of the past ten years and when that has happened, the extra dollars needed have come from the general surplus.
Comments
On Nov 25/ 13 the story was the budget estimate was a $529,000 shortfall for the 2013 snow budget. Today the story is there is $900,000 left in the 2013 snow budget.
Will next weeks story bring even better news ?
So where did the wiggle room come from for the China trip?
middle finger,
What makes you think anything has changed? You may or may not have noticed that the year isn’t over yet, so is it possible the City spend $1.429 million on snow removal before the end of the year and end up &529k in the hole? Yup.
Maybe you better start over with Dick & Jane.
Gee thanks Sine Nomine, good thing there is little to no snow in the forecast. I’ll be out with Jane later tonight so I guess that leaves all the Dick for you.
How bout not driving plow trucks and graders all over town grinding the blades off on bare pavement? Seen it multiple times, not a spec of ice or snow for miles and hear comes the City of PG Plows with sparks flying everywhere.
Everyone who trusts the numbers released from city hall is a fool. They change very few weeks. It’s actual appalling when we are supposed to have accountants crunching the numbers and they can’t get it straight.
Middle finger.
Middle finger how can you know there I no snow in the forecast for the next 27 days!! The 7 day forecast is barely 50% correct on average.
One of the dumbest thing I have ever heard on here.
Can you please tell me what the weather will be on Valentines day so I can make some plans now.
Nimrod….get back to your bottle. Or did you just wake up. I ask if there will be better news next week and state that it’s a good thing there is little to no snow in the forecast and you think I’m a meteorologist with a crystal ball. Go get some cold water.
Take that 800k out of the city manager’s new budget and no need for any extra tax increase right? Or am I dreaming?
weren’t they saying last week or the week before that they were out of money for this years snow removal, now they are saying they still have a surplus of $900 thousand?
What gives?
Good grief. Mr. Meisner, you should maybe promote adult literacy programs on your site. Some of your regulars have reading comprehension problems.
Now children- stop your bickering or Ben will have to give you a time out.
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