Prince George, B.C.- Budget discussion at City Hall got off to a rough start today.

Councillor Albert Koehler started  the discussion  saying he was surprised to see  that  the budget being presented is  one that reflects a 2.5%  increase.  Koehler reminded his fellow Councillors  that  the discussion at Finance and Audit  looked at  an increase of 1.83 % increase, “But that has been ignored”.

Councillor Murry Krause expressed concern that there was no allowance for public input for the 3:30 session, considering many of the budget items slated for 3:30 to 5:00 would deal with some key budgetary items such as Police services, ahead of a session which would be dealing with many of the key items. Council agreed to add another public session  ahead of the  3:30 session  on  the 29^th when the second budget meeting will be held.

Councillor Hall said he wanted more information on what impacts  layoffs will have  on the budget and that includes  knowing how much the city is paying out in severance packages saying it will have an impact on the budget “I  don’t see how we can’t talk about that, I’m not  asking who received what, I’m asking how much?”

City Manager Beth James says severance package information is being prepared for Council.

It was made clear this budget is a draft,  and  while those elected  in November will not  have  developed the budget,  they will have an opportunity to make changes as  they have the ability to  refuse to  give it final reading.

The Police Services budget was first up for discussion.  Director Rob Whitwham  says once again the  police services budget is based on 121 members, although  the   City is approved for up to 128 members.

Councillor Wilbur says   he is of the view, there aren’t enough resources  “boots on the ground” dealing with the issues downtown and that he has  heard from several businesses  who  say they are  at risk of losing their business because of  the drug use, assaults,  and  other issues which are happening  in their area.  “It is clear to me that more resources are needed.”    Wilbur read a letter from a local lawyer who said  the alley behind his office has become “an open air crack house” and the conduct there is not conducive to a viable  business on 3^rd Avenue.

Police Services have called for an  increase in the approval number to 135,  because the  empty posts right now are  considered “soft” openings, in that  they  exist because of  officers who are off because of injuries or  other  permitted leaves.   The RCMP only fill “hard” openings, where the person who was in that position has transferred or retired, creating a real opening.  “We’re not moving beyond the  128 number” says Councilor Lyn Hall, “We’re giving you the flexibility to meet that number.”

Staff Sergeant Perry Smith said efforts  being  undertaken by police includes the  “red zone” of downtown meaning  numerous  folks  on  drug charges are not allowed in the downtown area  as  part of their  court issued  conditions for release.  “There are a lot of things we’ve been doing in the downtown core  this year.”   Each  watch   puts at least two at a time on bike patrol in the downtown.  He says  camps that were being set up have been dismantled.  Those efforts are in addition to the  removal of planters and the changes to Millennium Park  to reduce sites where criminal activity was taking place.