If you want to make your opinion known about the City’s finances, you should fill out a survey.
In a news release issued on Monday afternoon, the City of Lloydminster directed residents of the community to “share their voice” about city spending priorities, as the budget planning process for 2017 starts off. The municipal government is facing a $10.5 million operating deficit, and civic officials have said that cutbacks will be discussed as part of the budget process.
The survey, which is linked to the Finance section of the municipal website, will be live until November 13, 2016. The survey is short, and asks residents to rank different areas of the City’s operations by importance. It also asks them to indicate where they would want to see cuts take place.
No personal information is taken by the questionnaire, though residents can supply their postal code under the section asking about transit.
“We urge residents to engage in our survey and express their views on priorities to help guide the decisions required in producing a balanced budget” said Lisa Buchan, Director, Business Services, in the release.
“The more public input we receive, the better positioned we will be to deliver a balanced budget that effectively addresses the needs of our residents.”
According to the release, after November 13, feedback collected through the survey will be shared with City Council and Administration for review. The final 2017 budget will be submitted to City Council for approval in December 2016.
The link to the survey is here: http://www.lloydminster.ca/budget