Few comments for Council during Public Engagement period for Budget process

Only one resident of Prince Rupert had questions or comments on
the 2020 Budget process during the Public comment opportunity
from Monday's Council Session

Monday evening's City Council session provided for the first opportunity for the public to offer comment or observations on the City's financial plans for 2020, but if the turnout for the public comment period was any indication, Council members will hear little opposition or observations on their plan for the year ahead.

The Budget overview began with the City's Financial Officer reprised many of her talking points of the February 24th presentation to council, including a video compilation of some of the city's achievements that the city wanted to reinforce as part of this years Budget roll out.

Among the selection of themes that were included on the fast paced video celebration:

The 2019 paving plan, work on Watson Island and Pembina pipeline's expansion plans, the city's work on major infrastructure such as the Water Dam and plans for a water treatment facility and submarine lines from the watershed.

Also noted the work on the Airport Ferry, completion of the 7th Avenue East utility replacement project and the expansion of the landfill site, some of the capital works purchases of the last year and their work on redesign rupert.

In her recap Ms. Bomben made note of the City's budget surplus, the second year in a row that has been achieved, noting that there would be no tax increase in Prince Rupert this year.

She also called attention to the city's paving plan for 2020, as well as their progress towards development of a new RCMP detachment in the city.

With the CFO noting that the city has had the RCMP detachment on their to do list for the last decade, with the allocations from the city over the last two years meaning that there will be no anticipated impact on the tax payer when the time comes to take out the loan for the facility .

An explanation of the mill rate process and the range of other taxes that the City collects on behalf of other organizations was also included in her review.

The presentation also outlined the impact to taxpayers and where money collected from taxation is put to use for civic services and other purposes.

Ms. Bomben also pointed towards more information available to residents to learn more about the impact of the budget on their property taxes, as well as to participate in the Budget process through an online survey or by way of paper copies located at a number of locations around the city.

As for community comment, only one resident, Larry Golden approached the microphone, first asking if the video would be provided online, then asking about the plans for a new RCMP station and where it may be built. 

Ms. Bomben advised that the location had yet to be determined, noting that wherever the city chooses to locate the detachment will have to be on city owned land.

Much of the remainder of his focus was on the lack of information available towards travel by the Mayor or Council members and what the cost of that travel may be, with Mr. Golden inquiring as to where it is included as part of the budget process, he also asked how council decides on travel opportunities.

Ms. Bomben did not provide details on a fixed amount, noting that the money is part of the element of the civic budget that is called governance, the travel is part of the expenditures of that section.

As for travel approval, the CFO observed that the decisions on travel were considered by what Council feels is a civic priority and if the travel fits into the approved bylaw and budget allowance.

With no other members of the public coming forward,  the Mayor then noted that the next opportunity for public comment would be at the next Council session on March 23rd.

You can review the Budget Presentation and the comment period from the City's Video Archive starting at the 26 minute mark.



Further background on the 2020 Budget Process can be found from the City website here.

More notes on the 2020 Budget Process can be explored from our Budget Archive page.

A look at some of the other elements of the Monday night Council session can be found from our Council Timeline feature.

More themes of discussion for the Council members can be reviewed through our Council Discussion page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.