Prince George taxpayers could be taking a hit if a variety of user fee increases make their way through today's committee of the whole meeting.
The finance and audit committee has recommended the committee - consisting of the mayor and all of council - consider changes that span tax levies for road paving and snow clearing, recreation facility fees, water and sewer utility rates, building permits, cemetery fees and more.
Separate from the core services review - recommendations from which will also be discussed at today's committee meeting - the finance and audit committee has been endorsing these increases since September.
"Finance and audit has chosen to bring forth to the committee of the whole a comprehensive approach to address the city's core infrastructure gap," wrote finance and audit committee chair Cameron Stolz. "The recommendations in the reports that follow are that the city set aside more money now so that our core infrastructure requirements are fully funded."
According to Stolz's report to today's assembled committee, city staff have investigated the "true condition of our infrastructure and the cost to maintain it" through an asset management program since 2006.
Between 2005 and 2011, that program - known as Real-time Infrastructure Valuation Analysis, or RIVA - has suggested a sewer infrastructure shortfall of $9.84 million, a water infrastructure shortfall of $30.37 million, a storm infrastructure shortfall of $7.69 million and a road rehabilitation shortfall of $27.94 million.
And while the day-to-day operations of water, sewer and garbage are self-sustainable, "there simply isn't enough money being set aside to address the ongoing capital requirements," the report says.
A report from acting city manager Kathleen Soltis setting out guidelines for the 2013 to 2015 budgets recommends one per cent increases to the road rehab tax levy as well as the levy dedicated to general infrastructure reinvestment.
"Unless the City of Prince George decreases expenses and/or increases non-tax revenues, the estimated year 2013 total municipal property tax increases will be 7.09 per cent," the report reads. If the committee of the whole endorses recommendations stemming from the core services review, that increase drops to 6.45 per cent, the report adds.
The finance and audit committee has also recommended:
n Slight increases to multi-pack rates at Pine Valley Golf Course and the addition of a restricted nine-hole pass for seniors and youth.
"Pine Valley remains a popular choice amongst seniors, school programs and young families," wrote recreation and cultural services manager Brad Beckett. The committee of the whole will discuss closing the golf course and selling the land for development as a result of the core services review.
n Increase rental rates for civic park facilities, Masich Place Stadium (by 2.5 per cent) and the Civic Centre (eight per cent in 2013) to bring them up to the average of other communities or to keep them competitive.
n A three-year annual increase of 3.75 per cent for the rental of CN Centre and other community arenas.
n Increasing the building permit application fee by $25 to $100
n Eliminate the 10 per cent discount for early payment of utility fees and introduce a five per cent penalty for late payments. In addition, there is a proposal to charge for final or special meter readings, emergency after-hours call outs and charge an extra $10 for exchanging garbage containers.
The committee of the whole meets at 3:30 p.m. in council chambers.
