Public Service Announcement
Mayor, Council Seeking Public Input into Budget Process
(January 10/2002)-- Mayor Peter Kelly and Members of Halifax Regional Council are seeking public input on what residents of HRM believe should be the municipality's spending priorities for the 2002/2003 fiscal year.
HRM Financial Services staff will be making brief presentations at meetings of the six Community Councils in the next number of weeks to provide the public with a general overview of the Budget process and current financial issues
The first presentation will take place at a meeting of the Peninsula Community Council on Monday, January 14, 2002, beginning at 7 p.m., in the Council Chamber, City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax. The public is invited to attend.
A schedule of other Community Council meetings and the dates will be announced soon.
A public opinion questionnaire regarding municipal services and spending priorities is now available at all HRM Customer Service Centers, all branches of the Halifax Regional Library and it is posted on the HRM website at www.region.halifax.ns. Copies of the public opinion questionnaire will also be available at the Community Council presentations.
In addition, residents wishing to pass along their thoughts, ideas of comments regarding the proposed Budget may send written submissions to the Office of the Municipal Clerk, P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3A5
Council wants to hear from HRM residents about what services they believe are the most important, and which ones should get spending priority before HRM's annual Budget is approved in the Spring.
Mayor Kelly, on behalf of Halifax Regional Council, said "We value the opinions of our residents. We think citizen input into the Budget process is very important. It will help Council to better focus on the programs and services that residents tell us are most important to them in the coming fiscal year, and to make our budgetary decisions based on their priorities."
Citizens participating in the Public Consultation Process regarding the 2002/2003 Budget are urged to return their questionnaires or make written submissions as soon as possible.
The proposed Budget is expected to be presented to Halifax Regional Council on February 12th.
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John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
