City council made no moves to alter the three-per-cent tax levy increase presented in the 2016 operating budget after the first night of deliberations Wednesday.
With the exception of a lengthy conversation about the RCMP's finances, departmental budgets for community services, planning and development, corporate management, external relations, Tourism Prince George and the Prince George Public Library were passed without changes from staff recommendations.
The first of two meetings, council will go over the rest of the 2016 financial plan on Dec. 2 as well as the capital spending outlook.
A $131.8 million operating budget for 2016 is a nearly $3.1 million boost to the general tax levy, which staff said is required to maintain service levels and contract commitments.
As per finance director Kris Dalio, if council wants to shrink the tax levy increase, it would likely have to come out of the capital plan, which is up for approval next week.
Despite there being no changes made Wednesday night, council did punt some work back to administration for conversations next week that could change the approved figures.
Dalio will report on the impact to the police protection budget if the RCMP's request for three additional officers next year is approved (see related story,
page 1). Community services general manager Rob Whitwham will also come back with information for council abut the financial impact of adding a $2 swim at city pools for School District 57's Pro-D Days.
That was an idea Mayor Lyn Hall said he was approached with by two seniors during one of last month's Talktober sessions.
"Their argument was it will draw more children, students, to the pool and it's easier because it's a lesser amount of money," said Hall. "Pro-D Days are always typically days where parents are trying to find something for their children to do."
Coun. Jillian Merrick was enthusiastic about the idea, pointing to the report released Tuesday that cites almost 20 per cent of children in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George as living in poverty.
"As Coun. Merrick has indicated, that 20-per-cent mark is high and this may be one of the ways to facilitate the ability for them to use the pools," said Hall. "I know when I was on the (school board), we hear loud and clear about Pro-D days and sometimes it's not such a positive impact that they have on families because families are looking for daycare or they're looking for something where they'll be able to have care for their children."
Also approved Wednesday was the budget for the city's new economic development function. Last year, the city allocated $1.045 million to Initiatives Prince George as it's external economic development arm. With the work now being done in house, the city is planning to spend $732,410 on the new team that now resides on the first floor of city hall. City council will hear more about a new economic development advisory committee to guide the new department and provide information on its work during Monday night's regular council meeting, said city manager Kathleen Soltis.
