Have Your Say! 2018 Citizen Budget Launched

Once again, the City is inviting residents to participate and “Have Your Say!” through the 2018 Citizen Budget at saskatoon.ca/financialfuture. The 2018 Citizen Budget goes live today, and will be open for public feedback until June 25, 2017.

 “This online tool provides an opportunity for citizens to share their priorities and preferences, by telling us what matters most when it comes to the service levels the City provides,” says Carla Blumers, Director of Communications. “Last year we had over 800 people participate and we hope this year even more residents will weigh in.”  

In its third year, Citizen Budget is educational and interactive.  It provides a great opportunity for residents to be heard - and to get involved in the City’s annual budget process. There are 12 categories where participants can decide how they would adjust property tax funding.

“The online tool has investment sliders which residents can select to either maintain the City’s current service levels, increase or decrease them for each service or program,” Blumers says. “As you make your choices, your property tax dollar amount will change in real time so you can see the impact of your funding choices on an individual tax bill.”

Blumers says each year City Council and Administration must make difficult decisions when balancing the trade-offs that need to be considered when increasing, decreasing or providing the same service levels.

“Citizen Budget allows you to see the impact that investment changes in service levels can have on your property taxes.”

For residents who may prefer to submit written comments and feedback on the 2018 Budget, Citizen Budget comment sheets are available at the Info Desk in the lobby of City Hall.

Importantly, the public feedback gathered through Citizen Budget will again be considered by City Council and Administration prior to the budget review in October. City Council also considers other factors for annual budgetary decision making including inflation, the city’s growing population, Council priorities, service level changes and the City’s performance measures.

To participate in the 2018 Citizen Budget, and to also view the City’s informative Budget video series, visit saskatoon.ca/financialfuture.