IPG To Undergo a Service Review

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 03:59 AM

Prince George, B.C.- For the first time since it was established, Initiatives Prince George will undergo a service review.

Council approved IPG’s budget for 2011 (Councillor Cameron Stolz was the lone dissenter on the motion to approve) and has previously approved the IPG business plan for 2011-2013, but Council did direct that a review of the IPG service be conducted this year. While Council assigned that task to the Finance and Audit Committee, Staff proposed a three point approach to the review. That proposal has been unanimously apporved by Council.

The plan will see IPG and the City jointly preparing a terms of reference for the service review, jointly selecting a consultant to undertake the review and equally sharing the costs of the review.

In his report and recommendations to Council, City Manager Derek Bates made it clear that “Review of local

government services by the governing body is routine” but this would be the first such review since IPG was created.

In what may be seen as an effort to assure IPG that it has the City’s support and that this review is in fact “routine”, Staff also requested the Mayor write a letter to the Board of IPG outlining Council’s approval of the IPG Business plan and strategy for 2011-2013, and its approval of the IPG operational budget for 2011. That request was also approved unanimously.

During the budget process this year, Councillor Cameron Stolz noted that while he recognizes that what is good for Northern B.C is good for Prince George, he raised questions about how much work IPG was doing on projects that actually benefited other areas of the region but was funded by Prince George taxpayers to the tune of $1,024,000 a year. “Are we Initiatives Prince George, or are we Initiatives B.C.?” asked Stolz.

That question raised the ire of Councillor Don Basserman who said “I’m embarrassed by that, absolutely embarrassed by that.” Basserman went on to say how he viewed IPG as a train “We’ve loaded the boxcars with vibrant and necessary work and we’ve sent it out of the station to do its work.” He said he was not prepared to change the cargo, or slow the train.

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Posted on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Resident on April 19 2011 7:04 AM

Good for Stolz to question to ask about expenditures and scope of IPG. Maybe Basserman should get off the train once in awhile and look at things from a different perspective.
For to long city council has been nothing more than a rubber stamp all speaking in unison.

Posted by: He spoke on April 19 2011 11:03 AM

Nope, I agree with the old guy. What is good for the north is good for PG. We have more than our lion share of government workers in the north. That is the reason why we did not die in the last economic downturn. Because there was 40 - 45% of the workforce was with one form of government or another. Thus we should be putting something back for the north to benefit

Stolz, has to also look at the bigger picture. If we want to be the Northern Capital, than we also have to take some of the hits for it. IPG is efficient, it has the ability to work outside of city politics, it quietly gets things done. They will start, and complete a project in a year, the city with all its bylaws and meetings will still be stumbling along three years later.

I say, Stolz why are you wasting the tax payers money by asking for a review.

Posted by: faxman on April 19 2011 11:54 AM

I hear there's a review coming up in November for the Councillors.

Posted by: Palopu on April 19 2011 12:20 PM

He Spoke. Could perhaps give us some examples of the projects that IPG started and completed in a year, along with an analysis of the benefits these projects brought to the City.

Just asking.

Posted by: NoSeverance on April 19 2011 4:40 PM

Please define Northern Capital. What does that really mean? What benefit does the title bring?

Still waiting for the big jets to land.

Posted by: Starrider on April 19 2011 8:01 PM

I think it is the job of the Councillors to Question, whether the answer is right or wrong asking questions is the right thing to do and Don Basserman or any other counsellor should be embarrassed or irritated when a question is asked. Please ask more question if there are any concerns at all it is the only way to protect the consumer us the taxpayers.

I personally feel not enough questions are asked or answered and any organization or project financed by the people should be able to provide answers within a reasonable time frame like before the budget is approved.

Good for you Mr. Stolz

Posted by: Eagleone on April 20 2011 2:26 AM

Lower our taxes and get rid of the bureaucracy like IPG... putting the money into real infrastructure like roads and we would be that much further ahead IMO.

Posted by: PrinceGeorge on April 20 2011 11:07 AM

Can't have a bunch of unemployed people and empty offices if your suggestion is followed!

That would be too cruel!