City Asks Residents How They Want Their Money Spent
Published September 12, 2017 at 7:04 pm
Have you ever wanted a say in how your city spends your money?
If so, we’ve got good news for you–the City of Mississauga is reminding residents that there are ways to make their ideas about the city budget known.
People who reside in Mississauga can, believe it or not, have their say on the proposed 2018 Budget. The city says residents can try the Mississauga’s budget allocator, explore its budget website, join in a telephone budget session, request a group meeting or attend a Budget Committee meeting.
The online budget allocator lets residents choose their preferred spending option on 12 City services. While most people understand that their property taxes keep the city afloat, not everyone stops to consider that the city spends on everything from transit and roads to fire and emergency services and recreation programs.
Since decisions about spending on city services drive the budget, residents can use the allocator to test different spending options and then choose one for each service area.
And although it might be fun to use the allocator, it appears the city is listening.
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According to the city, results from the allocator received by November 1 will be shared with Budget Committee on November 20.
The results will help inform the committee’s review of the 2018 proposed Business Plan and Budget.
“The budget allocator is a simple way for residents to learn more about what City services cost, how property tax dollars are spent and to tell us about their priorities,” says Jeff Jackson, Director of Finance and Treasurer. “It is an opportunity to think about and share their priorities and get people involved in their City’s business planning and budgeting process.”
Residents can also participate in one of three telephone budget sessions taking place on October 4 (city-wide), October 18 (Wards 2 and 6) and October 26 (Wards 3 and 4).
“The telephone budget sessions provide a great opportunity to hear from the City’s senior leaders about the budget,” says Jackson. “A random selection of residents will receive a call with an invitation in advance to attend one of the upcoming sessions, followed by another call on the day of the session. Anyone who does not wish to participate can simply hang up.”
Details about the City budget and the budgeting process are available here. An overview of the 2018 proposed Business Plan & Budget was presented to Budget Committee on June 28, 2017. The full 2018 proposed Business Plan & Budget will be posted online on November 13
Budget Committee deliberations are scheduled for November 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29, with a Council vote to approve the budget planned for December 13, 2017.