While 2019 might seem like it occurred a decade ago, given the current state of the world, it was in fact only last year.
The city has now completed released its annual report which provides an understanding of the “state of Prince George” in 2019, which was a busy year for the city.
The report includes audited financial statements, tax exemptions, services and operations for the previous year, and the city’s objectives and priorities for 2020.
“This annual report provides the evidence that 2019 was indeed a special year for the City of Prince George,” says Mayor Lyn Hall in his opening statement in the report.
“We set a record for both the number and value of building permits, breaking records that were only set the year before! We hosted our first world championships. We saw construction begin on significant infrastructure projects for our community. We made critical investments in the social well-being of Prince George and worked with other organizations to do even more, together.”
Hall also addresses the current challenges the city faces in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were on the verge of holding the World Women’s Curling Championship when the global COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event. We would soon experience the magnitude of the pandemic: closed civic facilities, limits on the size of public gatherings, physical distancing everywhere. Even the format of Council meetings had to change.”
However, Hall says four main focus areas of council haven’t changed: social health and well-being, economic growth and development, environmental leadership and climate action, and local government and infrastructure.
“When I look forward to my message for the 2020 annual report, I expect that I will describe a year when the community came together, looked out for one another, and put the health and safety of community members above all else.”
City council will review the 2019 annual report at its Aug. 31 regular meeting which takes place at city hall at 6 p.m. and is live-streamed on the city’s website.
In the meantime, you can take a look at the plan in its entirety online.
