Road Levy Info Night

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 03:58 AM

This is it, the night when you get to find out more about the proposed 4% levy on property taxxes to help cover the cost of road repairs. The levy is one of the ideas put forth by the City's Finance and Audit Committee.

With over 558 kilometers of pavement, the condition of the roads has been measured using a "Surface Distress Index" which rates the roads from 1=very poor condition, to 10=excellent condition. It has been 6 years since index was last used to rate the road conditions, and at that time, the results pegged the average Prince George road as a "7.6" which is considered "fair". The road ratings are being recalculated this year.

According to previous reports to City Council, the City would need to invest $2.35 million per year in repaving just to maintain the roads.

There are three options being considered:

A: stay with current system which has road rehabilitation costs covered by borrowing money and leaving the City with annual debt payments of $235 thousand a year.

B: Introduce a 4% levy to fund road rehabi.itation in 2007 and in the future

C: phase in a levy increase to provide dollars for a road rehabilitation reserve.

Three opportunities have been set aside to get public input on the ideas being presented. The first session is tonight from 7-9 p.m at the Civic Centre,

There will be another session tomorrow from noon to 1:30 at the Civic Centre, and the final session will be Thursday evening from 7-9 , again at the Civic Centre.

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Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on January 30 2007 5:54 AM

Is there any doubt that this will happen?
My only hope is that it doesn't get redirected to some other projects.
I t would be great to make them accountable for every cent....but how?
And as far as I am concerned, white hats standing on the corner with their coffe and smoke of choice doesn't count as a legit expense.

Posted by: Marty on January 30 2007 6:15 AM

The stupid clock they want for cougars games would pay for nearly half the road upkeep alone.

Take away a few of kinsleys tax dollar funded holidays, and shazam, you have the $2.35 Million.

I think I should be the city's new budget manager ! lol

Posted by: trusted on January 30 2007 9:37 AM

First the roads at 4%, then the School Districts taxes, and be prepared, another increase in the mill rate. And more for Initiatives P G and the cops!
Of course utilities will have to go up!
Be careful what you wish for!!
A portion of your taxes paid over the years should have been utilized for proper road maintenance.
What went wrong??
Now the potholes hit the pocketbook.
Hey, stop squealing-the potholes are just the beginning.
You like Prince George City Hall and the cost to keep this city running?
Yet there is never an audit carried out in the different healthy spending departments.
Such a free hand they have dispensing the taxpayers money.
Sure don't hear a lot from the new City Manager???
Wonder what's up as further surprises?
All we need now is for mother nature to introduce a good healthy "spruce bug."
Enough already-I really do not like to see grown men cry.
Have a nice day!

Posted by: kimbo on January 30 2007 12:06 PM

This is it folks. This is your opportunity at the wailing wall so lay it on. Lets hope you have collected all the good information that has been provided for us on this site and express yourselves at the Civic Center to night Se you there.

Cheers

Posted by: Harbinger on January 30 2007 2:49 PM

Is it just a coincidence that this just happens NOT to be an election year? I'd like to see these councillors try and pull off this crap during an election year and see how many of them get voted in. Seeing as how it ain't an election year the sheep (us) baa baa will pay this 4% and forget about it next election. Welcome to politics 101

Posted by: owl on January 30 2007 3:10 PM

"Sure don't hear a lot from the new City Manager???"

???? Did we ever hear a lot from the old one?

Did we ever hear a lot from Mr. Bates when he was the top administrator at the Regional District?

Posted by: owl on January 30 2007 3:13 PM

Were they using snow clearing dollars that they saved over the past few years?

We really do not know what happens at City Hall, do we? I think that is the most telling thing about all this.

I agree with Harbinger. We are like sheep. And we are also being treated like sheep.

Posted by: kimbo on January 30 2007 3:50 PM

Why are we treated like sheep? At the last election only 47% of the tax payers voted and there was a lot of chest thumping about the high rate of turnout. What happened to the other 53%?

This site has had a poll an the aye's and na's on this 4% levy. Twenty percent are in favor and 79% against. Now if you people dont get off your ass and turn out at the information sessions the 20% will control this levy and we all will end up paying.Its as simple as that.

If your wondering where the city manager is he's at City hall where he should be but the guy that floated this idea is in China chasing a "Holy Grail". I have said this before the City manager coulds have convinced the Mayor to run the issue past the taxpayer so that it would at least become more transparent. I am hoping but I could be wrong. Different day different dog.

Cheers

Posted by: Harbinger on January 30 2007 4:49 PM

Maybe the mayor will be on closed circuit TV at the Civic centre to address our concerns. We have the technology but not our mayor.

Posted by: trusted on January 30 2007 5:35 PM

Hell, everyone thinks they are sheep.
News flash-this is in all liklihood going to go down as the "slaughter of the lambs."
You all know how much you can afford, and how transparent the spending is at city hall.(Joke).
What difference does it make if it is an election year. Everybody go on "mental pause" in an election year-and forgive all the misdeeds initiated by the mayor and council during a non election year?
What is left to say?
Just pay up and shut up.
You all whine and complain, and do absolutely nothing.
Has anyone called the city manager to ask him what is actually on the slate for the taxpayer?
Oh, I forgot- you can't fight city hall!

Posted by: diplomat on January 30 2007 6:08 PM

I hate to be so negative, but past experience tells me this: During the first year it will be a visible 4% increase, after that (in the following years) the new levy will get worked into the regular taxes and become *invisible* - except for the potholes; they will be just as visible as before.

No future mayor and city council will remove the new levy, no matter who you vote for.

We have been kinsleyed...by the time he gets back from the Great Wall the first anger will have already subsided.

If this can be slipped by us so easily the Cameron Street Bridge levy will be next.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on January 30 2007 9:12 PM

Just go with Councillor Brian Skaken. He says the city staff say we need more money - good enough for Brian!

Posted by: Chester on January 30 2007 10:21 PM

There are three options being considered. I'm not in favour of any of them. Go back to the drawing board. If these are the only solutions they can come up with, we need some different people working on the solutions. Chester

Posted by: owl on January 30 2007 10:37 PM

"Different day different dog."

okay ... There are two variables in that phrase, so really do not know which is responsible for any meaningful change, one, or the other, or both.

I prefer SSDD ... comes from the crew that filmed the "Dreamcatcher" here.

http://www.stephenking.com/pages/FAQ/Stephen_King/ssdd.php

Posted by: kimbo on January 31 2007 9:42 AM

For those who didn't attend last nights session I would like to give you the back of my hand. And for those who were sucked in by the phrase, "one time levy" think again.

The levy goes on and will means a 4% increase in our taxes and it will remaine forever. In other words they will not drop our taxes by 4% next year. It will remain as 4% of the budget that will go for road rehabilitation. They say they will not have to borrow 2.3 million each year. But what levy comes next is the question.

Cheers

Posted by: trusted on January 31 2007 11:30 AM

Absolutely right Kimbo.
BUT-the taxpayers in Prince George deserve exactly what is dished out on their plate by City Hall.
They keep voting in Kinsley, and he is ten jumps over the mentality of the bush bunnies living in Prince George. Then they vote in the flower lady, the bleeding heart, the rocket scientist teacher, the money manager, oh hell, time to let it go.
The taxpayers are going to whine and snivel and drive their expensive gas guzzling 4X4's, and pay through the nose to the city for services, whether they are there or not.
I like Kinsley and his frequent trips. Just thumbs his nose at any or all objections.
The new city manager is keeping a very low profile. Must have gotten whipped into shape quickly, but not enough to qualify for a trip to China?
Control, that is what I like to see. control.
When they stand their ground, the taxpayer crumbles. Looks good on them!!