Police Request Among Enhancement Approvals

By 250 News

Prince George City Council has approved several budget enhancements that would add $549,427 thousand to the operating budget, and (at this stage)would require a tax hike of 3.394%

Up first, were items that can be funded from other sources so there would be no impact on the operating budget. Approved enhancements that will have no impact on the budget are:

A Solid waste composition study which will be funded ($40,000) through the Community Works fund and a grant.
Manhole grouting has been moved to the sewer operations budget
Performing Arts festival ($30,000.) approved as it will be funded by the Community Tourism program

Other items:

Trail Maintenance, orginally the budget called for $68 thousand dollars, but Councilor Bassermann put forth a motion that $34 thousand be added to the budget, and that Administration find the balance of $34 thousand from"within". "This is a quality of life issue, and is consistantly a high priority for residents" said Councilor Bassermann. His Council Colleagues , with the exception of Glen Scott , agreed and approved the item as presented.

Nechako Boat Launch Councilor Don Zurowski believes the powers that be, can be convinced that this is a tourism item. The original request was for $100 thousand dollars and should qualify for funding. Council agreed to change the amount to $80,000 and with that agreement, Council approved the item.

Prince George Library The request is for $61,000 for equipment, furniture and updated Library cards. Krause, Bassermann, Zurowski and Skakun opposed
the enhancement, but the item was carried.

Child Development Centre The request is for $150,000 Mayor Kinsley says he is prepared to support this expense regardless of where the money comes from although he thinks those dollars might be able to come from the Terasen Gas Legacy Fund. Councilor Bassermann moved the amount be split, $75 thousand from the Legacy Fund, $75,000 from the operating budget. Although there was some opposition to using the Terasen fund, Mayor Kinsley says the earnings from the Terasen deal have far exceeded expectations, and this "75 thousand is a drop in the bucket". The item was approved

RCMP Services The request is for $220, 000 for new members and staff. That amount will double in 2007 as this request only covers salaries for one half of the year. Not supporting the application was Councilor Don Zurowski who says there have been expenditures that have increased efficiencies, and the dollars should be dedicated to the development of the new police building. Mayor Kinsley says although he too is a fiscal conservative, the bottom line is "We need it." The item was approved, Councilor Zurowski was the only one to oppose the expenditure.

Folkfest Councilor Debora Munoz spoke on behalf of approving a $24,000 grant to the Folkfest. "We support all sorts of sporting events, it is time we support the arts to grow our tourism" she told Council. Councilor Murry Krause stood up for the Folkfest as well, saying he would like to see the previous debt forgiven ($9,000) and give them a grant of $5,000.00 contingent on receiving the appropriate financial statements. Council has approved the reduced amount with the condition.

Energy Coordinator: approved a position that would be paid for on a 50-50 split between B.C. Hydro and the Community Works Fund the amount would be $45 thousand this year, and next year the full year cost would be $90 thousand

Environment Coordinator/Air Quality: Approval of an $89,000.00 salary that would be covered by the Comunity works Fund this year.Councilor Skakun advised this position will also work with developers to speed up the process for developers needing to work with the Ministry of Environment.

Committee Clerk : $24,000 salary to move this position from part time to full time and the salary will be covered 35% by community works, approved

Ammortization: The plan was to decrease the ammortization on loans to repair roads. The initial request was to push the payback over 5 years. Councilor Don Zurowski noted the reduced ammortization plan is too aggresive right now, ( it would increase taxes by .61%) so he is opting for a ten year ammortization schedule. Councilor Don Bassermann says if we don't get aggresive in paying for the repairs, it is like paying for a car for ten years when the vehicle only lasts seven. "We have got to move forward with this more aggressive pay down of debt" Bassermann told his colleagues. Councilor Krause says he would like to have gone for a more agressive approach as well, but with the other budget decisions made this evening, he just can't follow that line. Council approved a 10 year ammortization schedule which would add .199% to the tax requisition.

Native Friendship Centre: Council approved a $10,000 grant to help with sewar facilities .

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