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By Adam Berls

city council

Concerns over city staff expenses being made public arise

Aug 19, 2025 | 6:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — A discussion over city staff expenses arose at City Council Monday night.

Council had previously passed a resolution that would have “administration prepare a biannual report that reports expenses in the same manner that Council does on a quarterly basis for the City Manager, directors, the manager of legislative services, and the deputy corporate officer.”

Councillor Cori Ramsay put forward a motion that would have those expenses put forward in a closed meeting of council, rather than a public council meeting. Ramsay had concerns that having staff expenses reported in a public meeting, it may deter employee recruitment and retention. Ramsay mentioned that Prince George is the only municipality in B.C. to have administration report their expenses.

Councillor Ron Polillo was in support of Ramsay’s motion noting that “we’re [city council] elected, they’re not.” Councillor Susan Scott echoed both Ramsay’s and Polillo’s views on not having those expenses released in a public meeting.

Councillor Brian Skakun called the motion “a step backward” and that council hadn’t “given it a chance”. Councillor Trudy Klassen also called the motion a step backward and said that “any city employee owes their job to the taxpayer” and that transparency was needed.

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Director of Finance & IT Services Kris Dalio told council that other city employees may not want to take the job of a director, because of that public scrutiny.

Council voted 5-4 to pass Ramsay’s motion. Those who voted in favour were Councillors Ramsay, Sampson, Scott, Frizzell and Polillo. Mayor Simon Yu and Councillors Skakun, Klassen and Bennett voted against the motion.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com