One of my biggest focuses on Council has been increasing opportunities for public engagement. As Council heads into deliberations for Budget 2020, I’ve been excited to see new efforts to involve residents.

City administration has prepared a report with what it has heard about the budget. You can read it here.

Here are the observations I’ve made from reading this report:

• For respondents, good services are a higher priority than lowering taxes

• Most City services are providing satisfactory results

• People need to be shown better value for their tax dollars

• Roads and public safety should be top priorities

• Snow removal needs attention

• Policing needs continued attention

Following is more information about how people were invited to engage in the budget process and expanded explanations about the take-aways I see from their responses.

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