The 2007 'Wish List' At City Hall

By 250 News

Topping the list of city departments' service enhancement requests for 2007 is one  from the Prince George RCMP to add four new officers to the local detachment.

If approved, this particular 'wish' item would cost the city $236-thousand dollars this year, as the new officers would start in July.  The cost of the initiative would rise to $472-thousand dollars in 2008 for a full year of service.

Prince George City Council is working with a base tax hike of 2.4-percent, to maintain city services at 2006 levels.

The service enhancement list of 18 'extras' totals $1.15-million dollars and, if every item was approved, the 2007 tax levy would rise by another 1.6-percent to four-percent.

Some of the other big ticket items being requested are:  $213-thousand dollars for enhanced pothole patching, $108-thousand for water main valve maintenance, and $90-thousand dollars for snow and ice control on trails and walkways.

City council normally defers all service enhancement requests to the last budget meeting for a decision at that time.  However, at this past Wednesday's meeting, councillors approved a request from the Community Heritage Commission for just over $19-thousand dollars so the commission can begin work on a five-year strategic plan and Heritage Registry.  It's believed some of the money may be recouped through a provincial tourism program and the impact on the tax levy is said to be negligible.

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