Alterative Approval Process Regarding:
- City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9532, 2025
- City of Prince George Stormwater System Renewal Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 9533, 2025
- City of Prince George Civic Centre BAS & Chiller Renewal Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 9534, 2025
OVERVIEW: At its February 3, 2025 meeting, Prince George City Council gave first three readings to “City of Prince George Equipment Financing Bylaw No. 9532, 2025”, “Stormwater System Renewal Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 9533, 2025”, and “Civic Centre BAS & Chiller Renewal Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 9534, 2025,” which would authorize funding the Equipment Financing Program, Stormwater System Renewal Program, and Civic Centre BAS & Chiller Renewal through Municipal Finance Authority (MFA) debt funding.
Equipment Financing Program
The annual replacement and addition of vehicles and capital equipment are financed through the MFA Equipment Financing Program. The following capital projects are included in this Bylaw:
- #0431 – Mobile Equipment Replacement - $4,178,000
- #3208 – Janitorial Equipment – Replace Floor Scrubbers - $20,000
- #3406 – Fire Services – Hose Renewal - $50,000
- #3442 – Fleet Column Lifts Hoist System Renewal - $140,000
- #3443 – Tractor With Flail Mower New – $400,000
- 2025 Service Enhancement - Arborists Equipment - $701,500
Stormwater System Renewal Program
Project #3321 is part of annual stormwater system renewal program which includes activities that return the service capability of an asset up to that which it had originally provided. This includes relining, full replacement of existing assets and disposal of old assets, lowering of operating costs, and bringing an asset up to current code/standards. The renewal program will include, but is not limited to, stormwater green infrastructure, ponds, outfalls, storm mains, culverts, armoring, recharge chambers, catch basins, manholes, service connections, flood pumps, oil grit separators, ditch renewal, electrical, SCADA, communications, property acquisitions and necessary encumbrances. Renewing the stormwater system is essential to prevent flooding, erosion, sedimentation/degradation of water quality and negative impact on aquatic life.
Civic Centre BAS & Chiller Renewal
Project #3280 is for the replacement and renewal of the Civic Centre’s building automation system (BAS) which controls the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system as well as the air conditioner and associated valves, dampers, electric motors, temperature stats and flow meters.
AREA: This Alternative Approval Process applies to all electors of the City of Prince George.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
- Bylaw No. 9532 authorizes borrowing up to $5,489,500 for the Equipment Financing program. The loan term will be up to 15 years, with estimated annual debt servicing costs of $604,430, which would result in a 0.40% increase in future tax levies.
- Bylaw No. 9533 authorizes borrowing up to $2,620,000 for the Stormwater System Renewal program (Project #3321). The loan term will be up to 20 years, with estimated annual debt servicing costs of $211,070 which would result in a 0.14 % increase in future tax levies.
- Bylaw No. 9534 authorizes borrowing up to $3,260,000 for the Civic Centre BAS & Chiller Renewal program. The loan term will be up to 20 years, with estimated annual debt servicing costs of $262,629, which would result in a 0.18% increase in future tax levies.
The timing of when these costs would impact the levy depends on when the work is completed, and the funds are borrowed; it is anticipated that these costs will impact tax levy beginning in 2026.
ALTERNATIVE APPROVAL PROCESS: In accordance with Section 86 of the Community Charter, the City of Prince George is seeking the approval of its electors through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP). Eligible electors opposed to the City funding these projects through MFA debt funding may petition against the adoption of Bylaw No. 9532, Bylaw No. 9533, and/or Bylaw No. 9534 by signing an elector response form.
City Council may proceed with adopting each of the Bylaws unless, by the deadline, at least 10% of the electors of the City of Prince George submit a valid elector response form relevant to each specific Bylaw. The number of eligible electors within the City of Prince George has been determined to be 56,291, and the number of valid elector response forms required to prevent the adoption of Bylaw Nos. 9532, 9533, and/or 9534 without first obtaining the assent of electors by referendum is 5,629 for each Bylaw.
ELECTOR RESPONSE FORMS: Elector responses must follow the format established by City Council. If you oppose the City’s borrowing to fund the projects outlined in Bylaw No. 9532, Bylaw No. 9533, and/or Bylaw No. 9534, you are required to submit a separate completed form for each Bylaw you oppose. Forms are available at Prince George City Hall or on the City’s website at www.princegeorge.ca/aap. Only electors of the City of Prince George are eligible to sign the forms.
DEADLINE: The deadline for submitting signed elector response forms to the City of Prince George is 5:00 p.m. on May 20, 2025. Emailed or faxed copies are acceptable, but they must include the elector’s written signature. Forms must be received by the deadline to be counted.
A copy of Bylaw No. 9532, Bylaw No. 9533, and Bylaw No. 9534 and related records are available for viewing at the 1st Floor and 5th Floor at City Hall during regular business hours (excluding statutory holidays) from the date of this notice until May 20, 2025, or on the website at www.princegeorge.ca/aap.
For further information, or to obtain an elector response form, contact Legislative Services at the address below, by telephone at 250-561-7793, or by email at legislativeservices@princegeorge.ca.
This notice is published in accordance to section 86 and 94 of the Community Charter and City of Prince George Public Notice Bylaw No. 9329, 2022.
DATED this 4th day of April, 2025
Ethan Anderson, Corporate Officer/ Manager of Legislative Services
City of Prince George