Prince George council asked to clarify decision on arts funding

Council is being asked to take another look at last week’s agreement to increase annual local arts funding by $200,000 after city staff asked for clarification.

At issue is the phrase “… on an ongoing basis,” which is part of Resolution 2024-421. Approved unanimously by council on Sept. 25, the resolution states: "Resolution 2024-421 states: “That council approves the request from the Community Arts Council, Prince George Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Northwest, and Prince George Folkfest Society to increase their annual funding by $200,000 allocated proportionally between the four organizations, effective January 2025 an on ongoing basis.”

In 2024, the city gave the four organizations $267,528 in total, divided proportionately. The four also received $354,276 from the federal government and $310,160 from the province.

The additional city funding would be allocated proportionately based on the existing funding amounts between the four organizations, with future funding being administered under the Multi Year Funding Grants Council Policy.

"In Resolution 2024-421, the words '…on an ongoing basis' has caused some uncertainty among city staff regarding council’s intention in relation to the new approved Multi Year Funding Grants Council Policy," wrote Andy Beesley, the city’s facilities director, in the report going to council Monday, Oct. 7.

It provides two options for council.

One assumption may be that Resolution 2024-421 means that $200,000 will be added to the current 2024 funding amount, divided proportionately between the four organizations based on the current distribution of funds, and that moving forward future funding will be administered under the new approved Multi Year Funding Grants Council Policy, the report states.

Beesley suggests that if that was council’s intent, then administration recommends council approves Option 1 to rescind Resolution 2024-421 and replace it with a new one.

A different interpretation, Beesley writes, is that four organizations’ funding does not fall under the new multi-year funding grants policy and should be handled differently, possibly as a standing regular annual budget item.

If that’s what council wanted, staff recommend it take Option 2 and direct staff to amend the grants policy to exclude the four organizations and develop a new process to approve their annual funding.

Council meets Monday at 6 p.m. at city hall.