Prince George city council unanimously approved a nearly $37.2 million budget for public safety and civic facility management on Wednesday, up from $35.7 million in 2010.
That's an increase of $1.45 million for the department, which includes policing, fire and rescue services, bylaw enforcement, land management, off-street parking operations, civic facility management and emergency measures.
Funding for the RCMP alone increased by $1.1 million to $20.6 million to maintain existing service levels.
The Prince George Fire and Rescue Service budget increased by $318,000 to $13.5 million - although that may increase even further following contract negotiations with the Prince George Fire Fighters Union.
The firefighters' contract expired in March, 2010 and negotiations are ongoing.
The only other significant increase was in bylaw services, which rose $81,000 to $1.2 million. Wages and benefits drove $68,000 of the increase.
However the department will cut $41,000 reduced costs and increased revenues in civic facilities and land management. Civic facilities manager Greg Anderson said the city's Sustainable Energy Management Plan calls for a five per cent reduction in energy consumption, which will reduce operating costs at civic facilities.
Reductions will be achieved through energy tracking, employee education and capital upgrades, he said.
"Here is a budget that's gone down, which I'm pleased to see," coun. Shari Green said.
The proposed Budget discussions are set to continue on Wed. Feb. 23.
Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the budgets for development services planning and administration divisions, solid waste operations, cemetery and parks. At 7 p.m. snow removal, road maintenance, public transit, street lights, and water and sewer utilities will be up for discussion.
Tourism Prince George will also present its budget. The recently-formed society is proposing a $1 million budget, including $327,000 in city funding and $500,000 from hotel room taxes.
On Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m. council will review the capital plan for 2011 to 2015 and resolved any outstanding budget items.
Public input sessions are held at the beginning of each budget meeting. All meetings take place at City Hall and are open to the public.
The city's proposed budget would result in a 4.2 per cent tax increase - approximately $65 per year for an average $200,000 home. In 2010, the average property tax bill on a $200,000 home was $2,444 -including $1,544 in city taxes.
