City announces 2011 Budget Consultations – Your chance to help allocate public realm dollars…

Photo: Eileen Kuettel

This just in from the City’s Budget office – round of consultations on the civic budget.  The first open house takes place tomorrow afternoon and evening.   More to follow…

City kicks off 2011 budget consultations

The City is seeking the public’s input on prioritizing City spending for the 2011 municipal budget, including a new partnership with Vancouver Learning City to engage people across the city.

For the first time during the budget consultations, the City of Vancouver is working with Vancouver Learning City, a coalition of learning providers and non-profit agencies. Vancouver Learning City will be reaching out to different communities for input on the City budget, with 15 stakeholder consultations planned in October and November.

“This year’s budget process has more opportunities for the public to get involved, more informational resources, and a variety of partnerships with different groups to get the word out,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson.  “We’re asking residents, businesses and community groups what they value most about City programs and services and how Council can best prioritize those items going into 2011.”

The City is rolling out a number of activities over the next six weeks to help the public better understand the City’s budget and the kinds of choices Council will have to make.

The first opportunity to provide input will take place as part of Langara College’s 40th anniversary community open house:

When:  Thursday, October 14 from 2-7 pm
Where: Langara Community College, main cafeteria
100 West 49th Avenue

The Langara event will feature an interactive game testing participant’s knowledge of City history and budget expenditures, the opportunity to discuss the budget with City finance staff, and opportunities to provide feedback on budget priorities.

In the coming weeks, open houses and information displays are planned throughout the city. The public can learn about how the City budget is spent, current priorities and how the City’s operating budget affects everyday programs and services that citizens value. Participants will have the chance to provide their input on how council prioritizes city spending and discuss the importance of library hours, community centre and park operations, police and fire services, street work, garbage collection schedules and other such priorities.

Other key dates include:

• October 18 – Budget displays mounted at Vancouver Public Library’s central branch and City Hall; budget information booklets distributed to community centres and library branches throughout the city, and posted on the City’s web site
• October 19 – Preliminary budget report goes to City Council
• October 20 – Start of online and phone surveys on budget priorities
• October 27 – Presentation on budget to Vancouver’s multicultural communities
• October 28 – Open house at City Hall
• October 28 – November 20 – Series of community stakeholder discussions including with groups such as Vancouver Economic Development Commission, women, seniors and members of the Disabilities Advisory Committee
• End of November – Report back on public input for the budget
• Mid-December – Final decision by Council on the budget

Information on dates and locations for budget sessions is being finalized and will be available by October 15 at: vancouver.ca

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