HAVING A SAY
Charlottetown hosting event to gain input on 2018 budget
City to hold budget open house for residents, businesses to provide input.
Charlottetown residents will have more of an opportunity to provide input on how their tax dollars should be spent in next year’s operational budget.
Finance chairwoman Melissa Hilton announced during Monday night’s council meeting the city will be holding a pre-budget open house on Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 5:50-8 p.m. at city hall.
Hilton said the open house will be an informal drop-in style where residents can give input on the city’s operational budget.
“That will provide residents with the opportunity to meet with finance committee members, departmental managers and staff to address any budgetrelated questions on how their tax dollars are being spent,” said Hilton.
“Or to offer up suggestions on what the city might be able to do in its 2018 and 2019 operations budget to provide services for a reduced cost.”
The decision to have an open house comes after requests by some councillors and residents for a public consultation on the budget.
The open house will not include discussion on the more long-term capital budget.
Coun. Mitch Tweel, who made a request last month for a public budget meeting, said he felt it was a good step forward for the city.
“I think it’s a good start and as we go along I think we’ll find we’ll probably make some adjustments and changes,” said Tweel. “The more information we give our residents the better.”
Hilton said those who are unable to attend the meeting can also submit feedback through email, social media or written submissions.