Ponoka’s third annual Citizen Budget Survey results

PONOKA- The results of the third annual Citizen Budget Survey are in.

The survey invited Town of Ponoka residents to offer input on the 2018 Town Budget.

It asked residents what they feel the Town’s budget priorities should be in 2018.

It also gauged their level of satisfaction with Town services and whether they would like to see specific service levels increased, decreased or maintained at current levels.

Almost 100 citizens completed the survey.

Chad Krahn

Unofficial 2024 By-Election Results

10h ago

Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association

Lacombe farmer speaks at provincial conference about increasing rural crime and mental health strains

16h ago

April 23-May 2, 2024

Red Deer Public Schools set to launch Open House series

17h ago

“The survey and the Budget Open House that we held in September are part of the Town’s ongoing commitment to open communication and community consultation, which ensures the Town is more aware of the what residents are thinking as Council prepares to deliberate the 2018 Budget,” says Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett.

When the final 2018 Budget is presented to Town Council in the New Year, it will include a section showing how public feedback from this year’s public consultation process contributed to help shape the 2018 Budget.

Here are some of the results from this year’s Citizen Budget Survey:

How satisfied are you with municipal services in Ponoka?

– The majority of respondents rated all services listed as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’.
– Special Community Events (which includes Canada Day, Family Day and Ponoka Day in the Park summer festival) rated highest – rated Good and Very Good by 86.31%
– Recreation Trail System – rated Good or Very Good by 81.25%
– Utility Services – rated Good or Very Good by 79.17%
– Infrastructure Maintenance and Snow Removal rated the lowest – rated Good or Very Good by 52-55%.
– The remainder rated these services as Poor or Very Poor.

What services, infrastructure and programming provided by the Town should be given highest priority as the Town prepares the 2018 Budget?

The top 5 services identified were:

1. Infrastructure Maintenance: including water and sewer, roads and sidewalks, and potholes
2. Recreation Facilities: including maintenance, higher utilization of facilities. A few people identified the need for a new pool. One asked for irrigation of soccer pitches
3. Snow Removal
4. Waste and Recycling/Waste Transfer Station/Weekly garbage collection
5. Utilities

What are the most important issues facing the Town today?

The top five issues identified were:

1. Attracting new business/stores/industry – Including attracting and retaining industry, manufacturers and stores that provide jobs / need job growth and economic stimulus
2. Regionalized Fire Department
3. Recreation Services – Including need for increased utilization, lack of rec facilities, and improved condition of facilities
4. Crime and Protective Services – Included mention of theft and petty theft, and need for more policing
5. Infrastructure Maintenance/Investment – Included mention of need for water line upgrades, road & sidewalk repairs

For a look at the entire survey go to www.ponoka.ca

(Gary McKinnon – The Town of Ponoka)