Prince George budget talks begins Monday

PRINCE GEORGE — Budget discussions are set to begin on Monday (Jan. 24) for Prince George City Council.

It’s the city’s third round of budget discussions since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. In the previous two rounds of budget talks, the City of Prince George says nearly $2.75 million was reduced from annual operating expenses.

In 2020, the city cut eight management and exempt positions, and four unionized positions, which reduced $1.5 million in expenses. Management and exempt employees were also assigned a zero per cent salary increase, saving $500,000. The city also suspended expenses such as training, travel, and conferences until public health orders were lifted.

The City of Prince George didn’t see a tax increase in 2021, as council authorized just over $3 million in Province Safe Restart Grant funding to counter projected lost revenues.