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Budget 2020: Have your say

Public consultation sessions set for Wetskiwin’s 2020-2022 budget
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Wetaskiwin City Council invites residents to three budget open houses planned for early November as a continuation of City Council’s public budget consultation.

Wetaskiwin City Council wants to hear what you think about the municipal budget priorities for the coming year.

Three budget open houses are planned for early November as a continuation of City Council’s public budget consultation. Earlier this fall, the City launched an online citizen budget tool that also allowed residents to share their thoughts on how tax dollars should be spent. The results will be shared with the public after being presented to City Council at their regular Oct. 15, 2019 Council meeting.

Municipalities typically develop and approve their municipal budgets before the end of the year, which is a requirement of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). If the final budget is delayed, an interim budget must be passed by City Council before the year concludes.

In order to ensure there is enough time to pass a finalized 2020 municipal budget before the end of 2019, Wetaskiwin City Council’s 2020 Budget Consultation Plan set out a budget schedule, including a series of public consultation dates.

Each annual budget must realistically address both the challenges and opportunities faced by the City and community, balancing the need to provide and sustain essential services with the ability to provide nice-to-have programs and services. Councillors will consider the community’s priorities as they allocate limited resources for maximum effect.

Accompanying budget documents will also be published at as soon as they become available at wetaskiwin.ca/924/Budget-2020.

“While the budget deliberations will be held at City hall, the 2020 budget open houses will take place in accessible community spaces where locals feel comfortable,” said Mayor Tyler Gandam. “Your input on the budget is important, and I encourage you to attend at least one budget open house to share your thoughts.”

Budget Open House Schedule

The City will hold three budget open houses in different locations around Wetaskiwin early in November.

Community Members are invited to attend any of the below-listed open houses to provide their feedback on the 2020 proposed budget. The open houses will be interactive, kid-friendly, and snacks and beverages will be provided.

• Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Wetaskiwin Seniors Centre, 5216 – 54 St.

• Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Manluk Centre, 4514 – 50 Ave. Kids of attending adults can enjoy free swimming

• Friday, Nov. 8, 5 to 7 p.m. in the The Justice Café at the Wetaskiwin Mall.

The City is also planning to offer free transportation to the open houses using its transit buses, with specified pick-up points and times. This information should be available soon on the City’s website.

In addition to the public open houses, the budget will also be up for discussion among City councillors during council’s Budget Deliberations Schedule.

  • Oct. 21 beginning at 8 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
  • Nov. 27, beginning at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
  • Nov. 28, beginning at 8 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.
  • Nov. 29, beginning at 8 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Following the final public consultations, Council will meet Nov. 18 to provide direction to adjust the budget based on the public consultation. Council will then receive the final draft of the budget for approval on Dec. 9.

For more information, visit www.wetaskiwin.ca/budget