2014 financial planning process to get underway November 19

Community invited to weigh in during three-week public engagement period

The District of Squamish 2014 Financial Planning process is about to get underway. A full-day Council Workshop is scheduled for November 19, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be followed by a three-week community engagement period. Council will then meet again on December 10, 2013 to provide direction to staff and begin the process to move the 2014 Financial Plan towards adoption.

As requested by Council, District staff will present a Financial Plan that includes an option for a zero budget increase to property tax revenue in 2014. A zero increase will require changes and cuts to municipal services and programs to accommodate certain price changes and contractual obligations that cannot be avoided, such as RCMP cost sharing, labour contracts, and debt service. Such obligations represent approximately seven per cent of the municipal budget.

“The District’s range of services to the community has expanded over the years to meet demand, however, these are not necessarily programs we are legislated to provide,” says Mayor Rob Kirkham, District of Squamish. “This budget process will put some of those programs on the table for discussion to determine whether they’re worth the cost. We’re counting on the broader community to get involved in this discussion with questions and input.”

Council and staff request and require input and questions from the community regarding the various programs and service levels being discussed. A variety of ways have been provided to engage.

Watch: 

• Workshops will be streamed live at squamish.ca;
• Archived workshops can also be viewed online;
• Public are invited to attend in person in Council Chambers at Municipal Hall.

 Read: 

• Materials will be available on-line at Squamish.ca/budget beginning November 19.

Respond: 

All comments and questions will be shared with Council and can be submitted via:

• E-mail: budgetfeedback@squamish.ca or council@squamish.ca
• Facebook Budget Event page
• Twitter: @Squamishtown #SQbudget
• Website: Squamish.ca/budget or Contact + Feedback (select ‘Get in touch with us’)
• Mail: Council, District of Squamish, P.O. Box 310, Squamish, B.C. V8B 0A3

Timeline:

Council Workshop/budget introduced – Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (lunch break noon to 1:00 p.m.)

Community input – Tuesday, November 19 to Monday, December 9

Council Workshop/budget feedback and discussion – Tuesday, December 10 (time TBA)

Updates and materials will be shared throughout the process via the official budget page: Squamish.ca/budget

November 12, 2013