It looks like the third time was the charm — there will be no tax levy this year for property owners.
Prince George City Council voted 6-3 in favour of the motion, which would use up roughly half of the $6.1 million in safe restart funds.
The final vote was postponed at two previous meetings, but Council finally put the motion on the floor tonight (Monday.)
Councillor Kyle Sampson floated the idea of a zero percent increase early on in discussions and was soon supported by Councillor Brian Skakun.
Sampson noted 60 percent of respondents to the city’s’ budget survey were not in favour of an increase, something that couldn’t be ignored.
“I think the harsh reality is going with a zero or one is going to be kicking the can down the road. However, I think there are a number of residents who need that helping hand right this year. They need that little bit of a break,” said Sampson during the meeting.
Others felt similarly.
“It really is a no brainer to me,” stated Councillor Terri McConnachie.
“We are managing tax dollars but I think we really need to read the room.”
Councillor Cori Ramsay proposed a compromise of one percent, citing concerns about the long term effects of the pandemic.
“We don’t really have a crystal ball to see what the future is going to look like. I think about us kicking this down the road and how it’s just going to snowball,” said Ramsay, pointing to the recent 2.7 percent tax levy approved for snow, roads, and general infrastructure.
“Now we have to think about how we are going to pay for that.”
Her plea was both supported and echoed.
Other Councillors worried about the possibility of an even higher increase down the road, preferring instead to look to the future.
“There are rainier days ahead,” urged Councillor Garth Frizzell.
“It doesn’t seem right and it seems a bit misleading to say we are giving a break when in fact that percentage piles on to next year.”
In the end, the motion for a one percent levy failed 6-3, and the motion for no increase passed by the same margin.
Mayor Lyn Hall and Councillors Frank Everitt, Murry Krause, Kyle Sampson, Brian Skakun and Terri McConnachie voted in favour of the zero percent increase.
Meanwhile, a request that would see two additional police officers hired to conduct social issue and mental health training was denied.
The proposal would have seen an additional $96,000 added to this year’s budget and the total budget cost for 2022 would be $365,000.
RCMP Superintendant Shawn Wright asked Council at the initial budget meeting in January, but Mayor and Council felt the timing was off.
“I appreciate that there has to be mental health training for the RCMP but I think that has to come federally,” said Councillor Skakun.
“I don’t think we should pick up the tab here.”
That motion was unanimously rejected.
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