AAP Proposal for Prince George

PRINCE GEORGE BC-The City of Prince George launched an alternate approval process (AAP) to seek approval from residents to borrow $30 million for five capital projects. The process is open today until June 2 at 5 p.m.

What is an AAP and why does the City use this method? Local governments must get approval from eligible voters before moving forward with certain decisions, such as long-term capital borrowing. To participate in the AAP, residents submit a response form to oppose the proposed borrowing. If at least 10 per cent of eligible voters submit a form (approximately 5,767 votes), the item would then go back to council to decide on next steps (either proceeding with a referendum or halting the bylaw). Elector response forms are available on the City’s website and at City Hall (Service Centre, 1st Floor, or Legislative Services, 5th Floor). Completed forms can be submitted in person, by mail, email (cityclerk@princegeorge.ca), or fax (250-561-0183) by June 2 at 5 p.m.

AAPs are more cost-effective than a referendum. A referendum on this issue would cost roughly $120,000, whereas AAP costs are absorbed within existing business unit budgets. Referendums are also more often used for brand new infrastructure such as the 2017 referendum for the Fire Hall #1 and Four Seasons Leisure Pool replacement loan authorization bylaws. 

Some of the projects that the City is attempting to fund is the Memorial Park Cemetery Expansion and the updating of the CN Centre. For the Memorial Park Cemetery, the city wants to “focus on design and development of the northwest corner of the property. This expansion is essential to ensure the continued availability of burial services for the community in the coming decades, as there is only an estimated five to seven years of available grave space remaining.”