Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

Budget Talk at Regional District

By Elaine Macdonald

The Regional District of Fraser Fort George has started its budget deliberations for 2006.

With a total budget of about $20 million dollars, the Regional District is receiving funding requests that currently total $8,985,000.00 that is a 1.7% increase over last year.

At this point, if all items up for discussion were approved as they are presented, it would result in Prince George taxpayers increasing their share of the Regional tax bill by 1.28%

Many of the requests do not represent complete budgetary needs as many services have funding from other sources including the ability to generate some revenue.

Here are some of the requests being placed before the Regional District:

9-1-1 services: as the service expands (now includes the Region of Kitimat- Stikine) the budget request was for less than last year, however, Directors believe maintaining funds at 2005 levels would be prudent, so that request is for $3.3 million

Heritage Conservation and Grants in Aid:
Two Rivers Art Gallery requesting $350,000 operational funding and $40,000 for Regional outreach programs
Exploration Place: requesting $650,000
Huble Homestead: requesting $130,000
Railway Forestry Museum: requesting $130,000 operational funds and $50,000 to be reimbursed for costs associated with plans for development of adjacent property

Regional Parks:
Request $285,605.00 to maintain the eleven day use parks in the Region, including dealing with the mountain pine beetle problem.

Solid Waste Management:
Requesting just under $1.7 million, which represents an increase of nearly $12 thousand dollars.

The final approvals will be made in February.

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