The average homeowner's property tax bill could rise by as much as 4.5 per cent next year, with nearly half that amount going towards dealing with the city's homeless.
It all depends on how receptive council will be to some $2.6-million worth of service enhancements being proposed in the name of safety and cleanliness.
As outlined in a report presented to council's finance and audit committee this week they include:
- hiring six bylaw officers to provide around-the-clock year-round service at a cost of $523,040;
- putting $501,800 towards cleaning up camps as well as sites where illegal dumping has been found;
- devoting public works staff to the downtown for nine months at a cost of $408,986;
- improving security at city facilities to the tune of $400,000;
- assigning seven two-member RCMP patrols to the downtown at six hours each per week for nine months, a $273,249 proposal;
- contributing $236,000 towards staffing the downtown homeless service hubs.
The total would be offset by $578,900 of savings in other related areas. If all are adopted, they would increase the city's property tax levy by 1.84 per cent or 40 per cent of the 4.5 per-cent jump.
Prince George RCMP is also asking the city to pay for a forensic video analyst ($101,476) and a data processor supervisor ($91,070), the city's environmental services department is seeking a climate change and energy coordinator ($100,407) and the city's development and planning department wants council support to hire an additional planner ($94,559).
In all, council will be considering $2.4-million worth of enhancements that would add 2.19 per cent to the property tax levy if all are adopted.
Maintaining existing services will require a further increase of $3.9 million or 2.32 per cent, making for a potential hike of $6.3 million or 4.51 per cent.
For the owner of a home priced at the average for the city that would work out to an additional $99 over and above the $2,200 paid last year.
In 2018, average assessed value for a home in Prince George was $278,509. The figure for 2019 will be known in early January when B.C. Assessment provides its values for the year.
Council's budget meetings are set for Mon., Jan. 6 and Wed., Jan. 8 in council chambers at city hall.
