City seeking input on CIP decisions

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Lethbridge City Council will have plenty of them to make, and difficult ones, too, when it comes to choosing which community projects receive funding in the next Capital Improvement Program.

Over the past three months, Lethbridge City Council’s Finance Committee has been presented with more than 100 potential projects, totalling more than $214 million, for consideration in the 2018-2027 CIP.

But first, the City wants to hear from the public about what is important to them. There will be several opportunities over the next three weeks to weigh in on what the city’s priorities should be.

Community engagement opportunities include:

• Displays: Review CIP project display boards and leave a comment form with your feedback. Displays will be located at: • ATB Centre: April 10-12 (noon to 9 p.m.), April 13 (9 a.m. to noon)

• Multicultural Centre: April 18 (noon to 7 p.m.), April 19–20 (8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.), April 21 (8:30 a.m. to noon)

• City hall: April 24-May 3 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

• Online: Visit www.lethbridge.ca/CIP to view projects and leave feedback through Mindmixer, an online public engagement tool.

• Public Open House: Wednesday, April 26, at City Hall from 4-8 p.m.

• City council and administration will be available to answer questions.

The CIP identifies required capital projects within the City of Lethbridge and provides a planning schedule and financing strategy. This is a 10-year plan, with funding identified for projects approved within the first four-year window.

There will be limited CIP funding available in the next four years. City departments and local community organizations with CIP needs have been challenged to stretch their thinking and focus on what the community will need in the next 10 years and beyond.

Council will begin budget deliberations the week of May 15-19, with the final approval of the CIP scheduled for June.

For information, including a video explaining the CIP process, visit www.lethbridge.ca/CIP.

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