File Image. (Image Credit: Adam Berls/CKPGtoday.ca)

By Adam Berls

infrastructure

Stormwater fee proposal goes before council

Oct 6, 2025 | 8:25 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — City council saw a proposed stormwater utility fee come before them Monday night.

Back in 2021, the previous city council received the new Integrated Stormwater Management Plan (ISMP). One of the items in that plan was to create a dedicated fund for the stormwater system. Over the last few years, stormwater infrastructure investment was identified as being “in the top three most important by the community during budget consultations.”

Back in September 2024, Council directed administration to create a utility fee based on “the actual measurement of the hard surface area in a sampling of all types of residential properties.” This particular type of stormwater utility is called an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU). Currently, stormwater related expenses are included within the general tax levy.

Staff prepared a financial model, starting January 1, 2027, that projects approximately $9 million of annual expenses, which includes the costs to operate and maintain the system and the average annual reinvestment required to replace the system’s infrastructure. The current estimated expenses as a property tax for stormwater services is $103.15. The proposed stormwater utility fee brought before council is $169.07. That constitutes a difference of $65.92.

Councillor Garth Frizzell said that this issue has been passed down from previous councils and that this work needs to be done now, and moved for an option that would “begin charging all properties the full funding level of $9 million with annual fees of $169.07 as of January 1, 2027. Councillor Cori Ramsay said that this would be an investment into the community to protect the community from climate change. Ramsay also noted that the decision would be one of the most important decisions council will make, regarding infrastructure. “Let’s bite the bullet and get this done.”, said Ramsay.

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Councillor Ron Polillo preferred an another option that would “begin charging all properties on January 1, 2027 at less than the full funding level with phased increases over two years to reach the full funding level.” “We’re doing the same thing, it’s just going to take a bit longer”, Polillo said. Polillo also noted that this option may work better and be more feasible for the taxpayer. Director of Finance & IT Services, Kris Dalio said that in the past, alternate approval processes have had to be used in order to fund stormwater infrastructure, and with the proposal put forward to council, it would make funding more stable.

Councillor Tim Bennett was not totally sold with option one, which was supported by Councillors Frizzell and Ramsay, and noted that this should be given more time, to let residents become aware of what would be changing and expressed support for a more phased approach.

The first option, which was supported by Frizzell and Ramsay was defeated. Council passed the other option, first brought forward by Councillor Polillo, which would “begin charging all properties on January 1, 2027 at less than the full funding level with phased increases over two years to reach the full funding level.” This option was passed 5-3, Councillors Skakun and Klassen and Mayor Yu were opposed.

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X: @AdamBerls

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com