Council Defers Two Budget Enhancements

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C. - City Council took a wait and see approach as it began budget deliberations Wednesday.

Councilors had two budget enhancement requests to consider as Administrative Services presented its financial plan.  Both were deferred.

The first enhancement item came under Fire Protection and was a request for permanent staffing of Prince George Fire Rescue's ladder truck.  Fire Rescue says, in order to have the truck staffed 24/7, it would require four new firefigher and four new officer positions.  The ladder truck is housed at Fire Hall #2 along with an engine.  Right now, the four member crew staffs the engine or the ladder, depending on the type of call.  If the ladder is called out, another engine must respond from an outlying hall.  If Hall #2's crew and engine are out and the ladder truck is required, a crew from a different hall has to be sent to Hall #2 to for the ladder or an off-duty crew must be called in, resulting in response delays.

The cost of hiring the eight new fire personnel in 2009 would be $235,587 and $ 555,280 by 2010.  Council voted to defer the enhancement.  Mayor Dan Rogers said he was hard-pressed to approve the request given the tough times the City is facing with its budget.

The second service enhancement request came under Emergency Measures for the establishment of a full-time Emergency Coordinator for the city.  The position would maintain emergency preparedness for the City of Prince George.  During emergency events, the Emergency Coordinator would be responsible for activating and maintaining the Emergency Operations Centre, but would also train staff in emergency management procedures and perform other duties.  Fire Chief Jeff Rowland says the need for such a position was highlighted with the Nechako River ice jam and flood.

The cost of creating the Emergency Coordinator position would be $56,165 in 2009 and $85,745 in 2010.  Council deferred the item.  Councilor Don Basserman says the cost to hire for the position would be less than one-tenth of percent in the tax levy and says the coordinator could come in handy given the rise in weather-related incidents and the potential for wildfires.

Both of the deferred items will be back before Prince George City Council February 23rd.  Council is looking at a 3.4% tax increase to maintain services.  Any additional enhancements will add to that total.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us