Prince George city council is set to host a special meeting to discuss the options it has to respond financially to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose is to consider proposed 2020 capital project deferrals, tax levy options, penalty deadlines for taxes and utility fees, and other expense reductions that include amendments to the alternative municipal tax collection scheme bylaw and the City of Prince George comprehensive fees and charges bylaw.
The special meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday (April 30) at 6 p.m. in council chambers at city hall.
Council will debate recommendations that came forward from the April 20 Finance and Audit committee meeting.
The city is taking a big revenue hit and losing about $1.3 million a month, with the biggest revenue impacts being the closure of all civic facilities and the loss of gaming revenue from the Treasure Cove Casino.
Staff have identified 16 general projects for a total of $18.34 million, including two water projects for a total of $1.64 million and three sewer projects at $4.85 million that can be deferred to help the city meet cash flow requirements.
Deferring $24.8 million in projects will leave the 2020 capital plan with a total value of $98.2 million.
Council will also look at a plan that could see the tax levy decrease from 3.44 per cent to less than two per cent, or a second option of less than one per cent.
The finance and audit committee will also bring forward a recommendation that city council end its annual remuneration increase on May 1.
Councillors received a wage increase on Jan. 1, but the recommendation would see that increase be discontinued on May 1 resulting in at least a year-and-a-half with zero remuneration increases for council and senior staff.
The committee also recommended that council direct administration to eliminate the 10 per cent penalty on late sewer, water and solid waste utility payments from July 1 to Dec. 31 and approved a motion to explore the revenue and expense impacts of keeping the Four Seasons Leisure Pool closed for the remainder of 2020.
The financial plan bylaw and the annual property tax bylaw must be passed before May 15 of each year.
