PG will hit the top ten list as the most expensive city to raise a family in bc .
We are paying way too much to live in a city that has winter feelings, half the year. Time to move to warmer climate and lower taxes.

absolutely no accountability from city hall in controlling expenses. This is pure BS,

plus we are now paying close to a thousand dollars a year on city utilities.

While its interesting to see how the City arrives at a decision on how to set the tax rate, the whole process is really nothing more than a numbers game.

What we need to be looking at is the total revenue that the City collects each year from all sources. Then look at where the money is being spent, and if we need to cut back in some areas, or reduce costs.

As an example if my figures are right the total revenue collected for 2012 would be in the area of $160 Million. Kamloops would be $178 Million and Nanaimo $174 Million. So we collect less. However when you look at what we pay out for School taxes, Regional District, and Hospital, (Payments to other authorities) we pay $40 Million, Kamloops, $47 Million and Nanaimo $55 Million.

So this leaves us with actual taxes of PG $86 Million, Kamloops 85 Million and Nanaimo $89 Million.

When compared on a per capita basis we see that Prince George pays more taxes per capita than the other two cities.
Prince George $1142.00 Kamloops $980.00 Nanaimo $893.00.

So where does the money go?? Debt servicing charges, less revenue from investments, salaries and administration??

Where ever it goes that is where we have to be looking if we want to reduce costs and taxes.

We need to stop the City from using their department of Creative Accounting and get down to reality taxation and spending.

“PG will hit the top ten list as the most expensive city to raise a family in bc. We are paying way too much to live in a city that has winter feelings, half the year. Time to move to warmer climate and lower taxes”

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Which warmer climate with lower taxes are you thinking about? Let’s throw some names out there so that we can do a legitimate comparison of total costs as opposed to throwing out anecdotal statements.

Mexico!

Tax increases to compensate for the inefficiency and incompetence of City Council and City Hall’s bureaucrats! They are spending like drunken sailors and we, the taxpayers, pay the price!

“When compared on a per capita basis we see that Prince George pays more taxes per capita than the other two cities”

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PG has a population of say 75,000 in an area of 320 square KM (234 people per square KM). Kamloops has a population of about 85,000 people in an area of 311 square KM’s (273 people per square KM). Nanaimo has a population of about 88,000 people in an area of 91 square KM’s (967 people per square KM).

So, PG has the lowest population by a considerable amount and the largest area to service. It also has the harshest climate of the three cities and winter challenges that the others don’t. These are major contributing factors that one has to consider.

IMHO, PG’s main problem is population density. Too few people in too big of an area. Look at Nanaimo. Can you imagine how nice it would be if the entire operating budget of PG was directed at an area the size of the bowl? Do you think there would be challenges with potholes, road clearing, beautification, etc?

So tell me again why everyone in PG is against revitalizing the core, and wants to push the city boundaries further west and north?

It’s absolute madness.

“PG will hit the top ten list as the most expensive city to raise a family in bc”

Easily one of the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard. PG is definitely one of the most inexpensive places to live in BC……by far. Housing costs are SUPER low, recreation costs are low, food costs are same, and most other costs are same or less.
Anyone who thinks PG is an expensive place to live has never lived in any other major city in BC.
The grass is always greener…if its so much less expensive to live elesewhere you know where the door is.

“…plus we are now paying close to a thousand dollars a year on city utilities.”

Get ready for the new storm sewer utility which will be added to this! Of course that won’t be the end of it as the new utility will see endless annual increases.

We need to address the failing water pipes and a host of other infrastructure problems.

“So tell me again why everyone in PG is against revitalizing the core, and wants to push the city boundaries further west and north?”

Not everyone wants the city boundaries further west and north. This is poor planning from the planning department. If the OCP would be closely followed we would not be in this problem!.

I am sure the legal costs taxpayers over a million dollars a year for court costs because the OCP is considered useless to this administration and council.

NMG. I agree with you that the City of Prince George has a huge land base to service, however when you look at the number of actual miles of road, etc; we are pretty close to Nanaimo, Kamloops. A lot of Prince George’s land base is **Bush**

Furthermore we pay more for Policing, and Fire protection. We pay more for our recreational facilities. We pay more for debt servicing, and we bring in less money on investments.

So as I said, we need to look at the big picture. When we do, we see an administration problem.

Case in point. We have some serious infrastructure problems, plus taxing problems, and we are seriously considering building a Performing Arts Centre that will cost the City (their portion) some $25/30 Million dollars. Hmmmm.

NMG is exactly right.

The sprawl continues and those who are developing aren’t afraid to wine and dine council members to make sure they get to keep spreading out without having to pay.

Anybody drive on the new boundary road lately? How much does it cost to clear that 6k road of snow with not one business to help pay the bill.

Add in the huge hike in user fees which are mostly paid by individuals and the average family is getting shafted with this crew at city hall.

We gotta pay for the sweet deal they gave to the workers earlier this year somehow.

I believe some people would take issue with the letter “W” in the headline. Not me.

There are many reasons why the city of PG is more expensive then the city’s south of us.
1. We live in a northern city more snow clearing means more money
2. Our roads fail faster, more freeze thaw means more potholes
3. We have a large foot print. A Lot of acreages and country living. This means more infrastructure to reach these people.
4. The more north you travel the higher the wages you make to pay the higher taxes.
5. Infrastructure costs are significantly higher. Our water mains are eight feet deep. Other city’s south like Langley have their water mains at three feet which is cheaper to install and maintain.

When we compare tax rates let make sure to compare apples to apples

Realitycheck “The grass is always greener…” I won’t be able to compare this until my 3 feet of snow melts!