Charlottetown residents will get some greater say in 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 budget-related 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.”
How to provide feedback for the upcoming Charlottetown budget. All comments must be submitted by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
- Feedback can be emailed to [email protected]
- Written submissions must be sent to the attention of: The Finance Department - City of Charlottetown, P.O. Box 98, 199 Queen Street, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7K2
- Feedback can also be dropped off at the main floor reception desk at city hall with the envelope marked to the attention of the finance department.
- Residents can speak to members of the city’s finance department directly by calling 902-629-4190.
- Submission can also be sent to the City of Charlottetown Facebook page or by tweeting ideas to the Twitter handle @ChtownPE using the hashtag #ChtownBudget
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.
