The regional district has approved their 2023 budget and a five-year financial plan.
One highlight is a tax cut from 2022.
They said in a release, “Regional District taxes per $100,000 of residential assessment decreased in all municipalities and electoral areas for 2023. In Prince George, the taxes decreased 6.1% to $41.51 per $100,000 residential assessment. In Mackenzie, taxes are down 5.1% to $49.23 per $100,000 residential assessment. Valemount will see a 15.8% decrease at $188.87 per $100,000 residential assessment. McBride will see decrease of 8.2% at $319.90.”
This year’s expenditures will total 55.2 million dollars.
“Of the $55.2 million, $21.5 million will be funded through property taxation, which is an increase of $874,139 or 4.25% over 2022. Most of the other funding for the budget for 2023 is coming in the form of grants, user fees and use of reserve funds,” they said.
“In 2023, we continue to balance the need to manage rising costs related to regulatory requirements and inflation while making strategic investments in services and capital projects, ” says Lara Beckett, Chair of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
The district said their biggest expenses will be Solid Waste Management ($21.8 million); 9-1-1 Emergency Response Services ($6.2 million); Protective Services ($7.7 million) and Recreation & Cultural Services ($4.8 million).
They also approved the following grants:
• $2849 to the Ness Lake Recreation Commission for insurance, furnace and piping expenses
• $1103 to the Salmon Valley Community Association for insurance
• $1371 to the Salmon Valley Gymkhana for insurance
• $7907 to the Beaverly Community Association for insurance and swim program and scholarship expenses
• $500 to the Miworth Community Association for a bursary• $20,000 to the Tabor Lake Clean Up Society for operating expenses
• $5500 to the Buckhorn Recreation Commission for swim lesson and program expenses
• $15,000 to the Pineview Recreation Commission for insurance
• $4500 to the Giscome Elementary Parent Advisory Committee for swim program expenses
• $15,000 to the Mackenzie Firefighters Association for road rescue tools and equipment
• $750 to the Dome Creek Community Association for insurance
• $5000 to the McBride and District Hospital Auxiliary for equipment expenses
• $2874 to the McBride Curling Club for insurance
• $2741 to the McBride Farmers Institute for Spring Gala and insurance expenses
• $263 to the Robson Valley Community Service for event expenses
• $4000 to the Robson Valley Spay Neuter Society for program expenses
• $3500 to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #75 for insurance and operating expenses
• $10,000 to the Valemount Ambulance Association for the Handy Dart bus