The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George Board of Directors approved the 2011 operating budget and five-year financial plan.
Operating expenditures in 2011 will total $28 million, $1 million less than the 2010 budget, as a result of a one-time capital project included in 2010 budget.
Regional district chairman Art Kaehn says the 2011 budget reflects a desire to keep costs stable while maintaining services.
"We are pleased to be able to present a budget that keeps expenditures in line with 2010. It's always a delicate balance between meeting the needs of residents the region while keeping taxation manageable."
Of the $28 million, $16.1 million will be funded through property taxation, which is relatively consistent with 2010 levels.
The regional district provides 86 services to residents of its seven electoral areas and to the City of Prince George, District of Mackenzie, Village of Valemount and Village of McBride.
Significant 2011 budgeted expenditures for services include solid waste management ($8.6 million), 911 emergency response services ($4 million), protective services ($3.6 million) and recreation services ($2.6 million).
The board also approved over $15,000 in community and recreation grants request:
$411 to the Ness Lake Recreation Commission for hockey rink repairs
$2,000 to the Ness Lake Recreation Commission for liability insurance
$2,875 to the Beaverly Community Association for a swim program, insurance and scholarship
$7,090 to the Hixon Community Association for insurance
$1,450 to the McBride Secondary School for sporting club costs
$1,500 to the Save-the-Cedar League for ecotourism strategy costs
Update on proposed Northern Gateway Project
Representatives from the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project provided an update on the proposed pipeline project. The update highlighted steps in the approval process, safety standards and economic benefits associated with the project. Some of the benefits include 35,000 person years of employment associated with the construction, construction spending of more than $2 billion, and 1150 long term jobs created in Canada. Following the presentation, directors asked about other tanker and vessel traffic in the area, assumption of risk and liability, and safety commitments.
Emergency resolution for first responders supported
The regional district has approved submitting an emergency resolution to the North Central Local Government Association pertaining to continued funding to support training of volunteer first responders.
The resolution asks that the association and UBCM lobby the provincial government to continue its commitment to fully financially support the training of dedicated volunteer first responders to ensure they have the skills required to provide high quality pre-hospital emergency assistance to patients where first responders are the first to arrive on the scene.
