Minutes
Agenda & Addendums
When
- Council gave First, Second and Third readings to the 2025 Financial Plan Bylaw, which authorizes spending for staff for 2025 and sets a tentative property tax rate, to be reviewed in the Spring when final BC Assessment values are in. In the original proposed 2025 Budget, the tentative tax rate was set at 6.4% in order to address a $1.628 spending deficit. Through Council deliberations, the deficit was reduced to $1.2 million and the associated increase to the property tax rate dropped to roughly ~5%. Again, this will not be set in stone until after final BC Assessment values are known in the Spring.
- Council approved short term borrowing of $670,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority for the Digby Island Ferry Refit, which was previously the subject of a Financial Plan Amendment approved in May of 2024.
- Council approved a Development Variance Permit for 975 Saskatoon Avenue to move to public notification.
- New bylaws for the Solid Waste Utility, Water Utility and Subdivision and Servicing all received final readings last night and will be updated on the City’s website in the near future.
- The Sewer/Storm Utility bylaw received first, second and third readings. (Note – at the Special Meeting on December 11th, the Bylaw received fourth and final reading). As part of Council deliberations within the 2025 Budget process, Council redirected grant funds of $4 million towards proposed debt for replacement of failing sewer mains, which reduced the fee increases proposed in the Bylaw fee schedule for storm/sewer.
- Council adopted the Complete Communities Assessment and directed staff to begin actioning policy statements as budget and resources permit. This Assessment is now posted online, here: https://www.princerupert.ca/community/housing-information/housing-needs-assessment
- Council gave final approval to the 2024 Financial Plan Amendment Bylaw. The full list of changes is here: https://www.princerupert.ca/index-pages/news/notice-proposed-financial-plan-amendment-0
- Council gave final approval to an updated version of the City’s Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw, which has received minor procedural amendments to help clarify the application process for residents, developers and staff. A notable change to the new bylaw is that those seeking to apply for an exemption must do so before receiving a Building Permit. Additional information, including an updated checklist to support the application process, will be posted here in the near future: https://www.princerupert.ca/business-resources/downtown-core-revitalization-tax-exemption-program