â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

2019 a ‘special’ year for Prince George according to Mayor Hall

Prince George Mayor and Council were able to review some city highlights from 2019 at tonight’s (Monday) meeting.

Meant to give an overview on the state of the city, the report includes 2020 objectives, audited financial statements, tax exemptions and details on services and operations.

In his opening statement, Mayor Lyn Hall said 2019 was a ‘special’ year for the city, and until COVID-19 hit, 2020 was on track to be ‘even better.’

“For example, even after a record-setting year, building permits in the first few months of 2020 were, incredibly, up over 2019,” said Hall in the report.

“2020 was also going to be about big, record-setting events for venues such as CN Centre and the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre. Or so we thought.”

The pandemic caused Council to make several changes to deal with the deficit the city incurred as a result of COVID-19 said City Manager Kathleen Soltis in her opening statement.

“With huge revenue losses that challenge our ability to keep delivering services, having a sound asset management program in place is allowing us to recalculate our priorities under new fiscal realities,” she wrote.

“This allowed us, for example, to defer nearly $25 million in capital projects this year, while still allowing us to continue working on $98 million in projects.”

2019 saw Prince George set the record for both the number and value of building permits, and the city also hosted its first world championships, in para nordic skiing.

Last year also saw the addition of the Nechako Riverside Park and Wood Innovation Square, climate action plan updates, wildfire preparedness and working to become ‘bear smart.’

City staff also worked on improving the Emergency Strategic Plan and created the Select Committee on a Safe, Clean and Inclusive Committee amoung multiple other achievements.

The report also lists priorities for 2020 for Council to focus on.

This includes supporting initiatives that facilitate healthy and active living, collaborating with local organizations and partners to enhance quality of life, cultural vitality, local heritage,
and inter-cultural understanding and making the city more accessable for seniors and people with disabilities.

Read the full report here:

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Catherine Garrett
Catherine Garrett
Catherine is an anchor and reporter in the MyPGNow newsroom. Born in Ontario, raised on Haida Gwaii, she now is living in Prince George. She obtained a diploma in Broadcast and Online Journalism at BCIT. You can find her on Twitter @Cath_Garrett

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

<p>

- Advertisement -
</p>

Latest News

Local cyclist says hit and run highlights the danger riders encounter on regular basis

One suspect who was driving a black dodge 1500 truck was taken into custody. The Tour de North rides is scheduled for September 12th to 18th consisting of an 850-kilometre journey from PG to Prince Rupert raising money for childhood cancer research.

Website refresh surfaces more of your important local stories

Regular visitors to this website will have noticed some changes to the home page and other templates in recent days.

City launching update for Active Transportation Plan

The City of Prince George is launching an update to its Active Transportation Plan, and is inviting feedback from residents. According to the City, the updated plan will guide the development of infrastructure and programs which support safer, more accessible, and more convenient travel options for people of all ages and abilities. 

RCMP looking to identify suspects in repeated vandalism investigation

The Prince George RCMP are looking to identify suspects in an investigation into repeated vandalism at a residence on the 100-block of McQueen Crescent. According to police, the initial investigation began in late May, when unidentified suspects threw a rock through the front window of the home, and spray painted the front with orange spray paint.
- Advertisement -