Prince George city council will be discussing the 2024 budget this week at a series of meetings. The meetings will take place on Monday January 22, 23 and 29 at 3:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.
There will be a lot to discuss as council is looking at approximately 6.24 per cent to 8.17 per cent increase to the tax levy (that works out to about a $160 tax increase per average household).
This figure was determined through the operating budget guidelines, which were discussed at the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit in early December.
The operating budget guidelines highlight the amount needed to raise taxes to keep services similar to 2023 while also ensuring funding to keep up with aging infrastructure, including road rehabilitation, and snow removal.
The report showed that a 5.88 per cent tax increase would be needed but updated information from BC Assessment indicates the proposed rate would be 6.25 per cent.
Council will also discuss possible service enhancements for RCMP, Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society, and Fire Rescue Services that, if approved, would add an extra 1.7 per cent.
The Finance and Audit Committee also approved a motion to consider an additional $300,000 to road rehabilitation which, if approved by council, would add an additional 0.23 per cent to the tax levy.
This also includes a new policy to include a one per cent increase to the tax levy per year to transfer to infrastructure reserves meant to address the city asset reinvestment needs.
Council will also discuss capital projects during budget deliberations and two new debt-funded projects being proposed for 2024: the Hart Sewage Lift Station replacement with a budget of $7.3 million and stormwater system renewal at $2.55 million.
Another topic of discussion will be the operating costs of the Little Prince Train. At a January 8 council meeting, the Exploration Place, who operates the city-owned train, informed council it would need $100,000 per year to operate the train for four days per week throughout the season.
It currently operates the train for one day per week and receives $25,000 from the city.
The Exploration Place also informed the city it would need a new building to house the train and a storage shed, a project which was on the capital plan before the COVID-19 pandemic, but council decided to table that decision in lieu of first deciding on operating funds for the coming year.
The proposed 2024-2028 Financial and Capital Expenditure Plans will be available on the city’s website, as well as at the Service Centre and Legislative Services Division at City Hall (First and Fifth Floors).
The city will also be accepting written comments ([email protected]) regarding the budget until Monday Jan 22 at 12 p.m.