Better communication wanted from the City following Alternative Approval Process

PRINCE GEORGE — Nearly a dozen loan bylaws will head to final reading and adoption at the June 10 regular council meeting. This comes after less than half the electorate, or about 5,500 eligible Prince George residents, submitted a form to go against the bylaws and send them to a referendum.

Altogether, the loan bylaws would have the City borrow over $32 million. It would also lead to a future tax levy increase of 2.3 percent.

The process, though, is being scrutinized by some for favouring the City’s perspective and not giving voters a fair shot at learning the facts and putting in a submission. Phil Beaulieu led a charge against the bylaws and said the form residents needed to fill out was too long and confusing. He also mentioned the City only needing to put in two ads in a local paper as sufficient notice as not enough in this day and age. Mayor Lyn Hall conceded better communication on infrastructure projects is needed to have a greater reach in the community.