PRESS RELEASE - Public Invited to Discuss the Capital Budget

The city council has had budget pre-occupations since the beginning of the year, but now we're getting down into the meat of the matter with public delegations and hard decisions as Mayor Cam Guthrie and the new council look to pass their first capital and operating budgets. If you have strong thoughts about the city finances, this is your chance to make them known.

Here's the press release from City Hall:

Guelph, ON, February 12, 2015 – The City has released the proposed 2015 Capital Budget and Forecast for the community to review and discuss with Council.

On Wednesday, February 25, City staff will present Guelph’s proposed 2015-2017 Capital Budget and Forecast . During the meeting, community members are invited to make presentations supporting specific investments in buildings, roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, parks, trails, and other assets and infrastructure.

“Councillors listen and respond to community feedback throughout the year but we also strongly encourage residents to provide their input as part of the City’s annual budget process,” says Al Horsman, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services and CFO. “Given the change in Council following the election, it is important that residents speak in support of projects at this time.”

This year’s budget is focused on taking care of what the City owns. By doing so, the City is able to protect the health and safety of residents and ensure it is able to deliver services to the community.

Residents and Council will see a major difference in this year’s proposed budget and forecast.

Typically the City presents a one-year budget and nine-year forecast; however, for 2015 the one-year budget is being presented with a two-year forecast to provide Council time to undergo a strategic priority setting exercise. This exercise will help determine which projects will be accomplished over the coming years and therefore influence coming budget forecasts.

Have your say

Residents are invited to review proposed documents and bring their comments to Council on February 25 (Capital Budget meeting) and March 11 (Public Delegation Night).

Delegation registration and submission must be submitted by Friday, February 20 at 9 a.m. for the Capital Budget meeting and Friday, March 6 at 9 a.m. for the Public Delegation Night. To register, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 519-837-5603 or clerks@guelph.ca .

All budget documents and related information will be posted on guelph.ca/budget as they become available.

Coming up next

• February 25 – Proposed Capital Budget presentation and public delegations
• February 26 – Proposed Local Boards and Shared Services
• March 5 – Proposed Operating Budget presentation
• March 11 – Public delegation night
• March 25 – Council deliberates and approves Operating and Capital budgets
• March 31 – additional meeting for budget approvals if necessary

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and be held in Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 Carden Street. Follow the City’s budget news on guelph.ca/budget , Twitter (@cityofguelph , #GuelphBudget) and facebook.com/cityofguelph .