With the assistance of the Canadian Taxpayer's Federation, here is the second part of a list of things that this council could do to not only bring in a zero tax increase this year, but at the same time show the leadership that we thought we were getting when we elected them.
1. Utilize volunteers to improve the city - Due to unionized labour agreements; The City of Prince George is prevented from fully utilizing the services of citizens who offer to volunteer their services. Why does the city employ auxiliary RCMP and part time paramedics, yet we have no volunteer firefighters in P.G.?
2. Refocusing on core services - The City of Prince George hands out millions of dollars each year subsidizing golf courses, cultural organizations, hockey arenas and numerous non profit organizations. Some of whom also pay no taxes on their buildings. The city needs to focus on core services and stop trying to be all things to all people.
3. Sponsorships - Raising funds through corporate sponsorships represent an excellent way to offset costs. Why couldn't the city sell the naming rights to the Civic Centre for example?
4. Better co-operation for service delivery - Why is it necessary to duplicate services such as school and public libraries, city recreation programs competing with the YMCA, and facilities such as the Civic Centre which competes unfairly with hotels like The Coast and Ramada for meetings and banquet facilities.
5. Utilize new tools to reduce costs - Governments often lag behind the private sector when it comes to innovation and adoption of new technology. By using free software from Goggle, the District of Columbia reduced its software cost from $50 per employee per month, to just $50 per year. Garth are you listening?
According to municipal government management expert Bruce Holland, Canadian municipalities could save as much as $100 million to $150 million annually if they followed in Washington's footsteps.
6. Consultants - With 750 employees at the city, it is inconceivable that council spent more than $4.4 million last year, and expects to spend more in 2010. MyPG and Smart Growth on the Ground alone cost more than $1 million and surveys indicate more than half the people in the city don't even know what they are. The 4th Avenue Streetscape Report cost more than $151,000 in consulting fees only to be turned down by the Feds for funding. Politicians and staff afraid to make decisions or looking for someone to blame afterwards love consultant's reports.
7. Who does what - When the Campbell government was first elected, it appointed a minister to review government ministries etc. looking for redundancies. With 750 employees and no layoffs last year, P.G. City Hall could do with a similar department by department review. While we have some talented civil servants at City Hall, there is also dead wood that is long past their best before date and needs to be retired.
Rather than whine about how little wiggle room they have to manoeuvre in crafting the 2010 budget, or how taxpayers will not accept lower levels of service, Mayor Rogers and council need to show real leadership and make some tough choices.
The taxpayers will be watching.
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