‘Open and transparent’
Charlottetown council welcomes residents to make suggestions for 2018 city budget
Taking a closer look at public transportation and increasing funds for bike lanes were two of the suggestions Charlottetown residents provided Wednesday during a pre-budget open house.
Snow clearing and fire services were also topics discussed during an opportunity for residents to provide input on the city’s approximately $50 million 2018 operational budget.
While the night was restricted to the operational budget, it didn’t stop residents from also giving their thoughts on projects that would likely fall under the city’s capital budget.
Resident Josh Underhay said he wants to see an increase in construction of mixed-use cycling lanes to create a fully connected network from Cornwall to Stratford and throughout the city.
While there are some existing trails and infrastructure, Underhay said many areas require cyclists to ride with traffic.
“I’m thinking of the families with young kids and I’m thinking about the more timid riders that would just be uncomfortable,” said Underhay. “I’m hoping to see the network fully connected where you could get from one side of town to the other.”
Underhay, who said he also supported public transit in the city, said he was impressed with the open house format.
“I’m thrilled. In a place like P.E.I., any citizen who cares can come in and meet with (department heads)… and have conversations with councillors and even the mayor,” he said.
The evening saw finance committee members, department managers and city staff all address budget-related questions.
Resident Laurent Beaulieu, who previously called on the city to host a pre-budget meeting, had a mix of items he wanted to see the city continue to focus on.
“What’s really important in terms of the city is the overall services like snow removal, cleaning of the streets — these are the basics,” said Beaulieu. “We have a good police services budget, now the question is the fire department. They’re supposed to build a new first station… will it be in 2018, we don’t know.”
Beaulieu said he felt the open house was a good start for public consultation although he hoped it would eventually include a draft budget and capital budget input.
Coun. Melissa Hilton, who chairs the finance committee, said the goal was to be as transparent as possible.
She said the feedback will be compiled by the finance committee and brought to a committee of the whole meeting.
“So all of council will have an opportunity to see what the interests are and if we’re heading in the right direction. Or, if there are areas that need to be tweaked, we’ll look at that as well,” she said.
Hilton said it was too short notice to cover the capital budget in the meeting, but that it may be included in the future.
“It’s all about being open and transparent and seeing what the people want,” she said.
“I’m thrilled. In a place like P.E.I., any citizen who cares can come in and meet with (department heads) … and have conversations with councillors and even the mayor.”
Josh Underhay