Town of Ponoka seeks public input on Budget 2020

– Budget Consultation Session #2 – September 11 (Wednesday) at the curling rink in the Ponoka Arena Complex from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. during the Ponoka Farmer’s Market

– Budget Consultation Session #3 – September 16 (Monday) at the old library (5110-48 Ave.) from 4 – 7 p.m. during the Ponoka Community Market

– Coffee with Council – October 10 (Thursday) in the main floor lobby of the Ponoka Civic Building (5604-50 St.) from 5 – 7 p.m.

The Budget Consultation Sessions will feature information displays about the budget planning process and will provide citizens with the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas and offer input on the upcoming budget. A few members of Town Council and Administrative staff will attend each session to answer citizen questions. Citizens will also be invited to fill out a Feedback Form to share ideas and input that they would like Council to consider as it prepares to deliberate the 2020 Budget in November.

Statistically Representative Citizen Satisfaction Survey

In September, the Town will gather additional public input through a statistically representative Citizen Satisfaction Survey. The survey will gather input from a representative sample of Ponoka citizens to determine their views on topics such as the quality of life in the community; satisfaction levels with municipal services; and priorities that citizens would like Council to consider as it begins the 2020

Budget deliberation and planning process

The survey will be an important part of the Town’s public consultation process on the 2020 Budget. It will be conducted by a professional research firm that uses random telephone dialling along with a careful survey design process and methodology to achieve accurate and reliable results that represent the views of the community as a whole. Previous Town Budget surveys have been based on a self-selection model that invites citizens to fill out the survey online or at a Budget Open House that they choose to attend. In order for the survey to be statistically valid and represent the views of the community as a whole, it must randomly invite citizens to complete the survey.

More information on the statistically representative survey will be provided in the weeks ahead in advance of the survey start date.

Public Consultation a Key Part of Budget Planning Process

“The statistically representative survey and the mobile budget consultation sessions are an essential part of the budget planning process, and reflect the Town’s ongoing commitment to inviting public participation in Council decision-making processes,” says Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett. “Inviting public input and having survey results that reflect the views of the community as a whole helps Town Council to make more informed and thoughtful decisions that reflect what residents value most,” says Mayor Bonnett.

Citizen input gathered during the public consultation process on the 2020 Budget will be summarized and presented to Town Council for careful review and consideration as Council prepares to deliberate the annual Town Budget later in November. A summary of the citizen input will also be shared with the public.

Citizens who cannot attend any of the Budget Consultation Sessions will be able to view the information displays and fill out a Feedback Form on the Town website at www.ponoka.ca from September 3 – October 10. Paper copies of the information displays and Feedback Form will also be available at the Town Office (#200, 5604-50 St.) during the same timeframe.

Ponoka citizens are invited to attend budget deliberation meetings beginning at 9 a.m. on November 21 and 22 in Town Council Chambers on the third floor of the Ponoka Civic Building when Town Council meets to discuss and deliberate the details of the 2020 Budget.

www.ponoka.ca

by Town of Ponoka

Town of Ponoka seeks public input on Budget 2020

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