City invites public to be part of 2019 Budget Process

The City of Brantford considers resident engagement, accountability, fiscal prudence, and transparency as fundamental components of a healthy budget process. Meaningful and effective public engagement improves the quality of decisions made, facilitates citizen understanding of issues and government processes, fosters respect for the views of others, and increases support, understanding and ownership of decisions made.
In an ongoing effort to engage the public in the budget planning process, the City invites residents to take part in the 2019 Budget Priorities Survey available on the City’s website and Facebook and Twitter social media pages @CityofBrantford or by typing “bit.ly/19BudgetSurvey” into your web browser.
The public is also invited to attend a 2019 Budget Priorities Town Hall this evening, Wednesday January 9, 2019 at the Brantford Civic Centre (79 Market St.) from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. where residents will have an opportunity to ask questions of City staff and share feedback regarding the proposed draft 2019 City operating and capital budgets.
The Estimates Committee is scheduled to meet on the following dates and times. Meetings will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Wellington Square.
Estimates Committee faces a series of challenging decisions with respect to the 2019 budget pressures as follows:

· Board approved Brantford Police needs
· Increased Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) contributions
· Unique financial pressures as result of the City’s boundary expansion and obligatory enhancements to meet essential services requirements
· A series of staff identified unmet needs that align with meeting the priorities set out in the City’s Community Strategic Plan
· Significant infrastructure renewal and rehabilitation needs
· Enhanced Ambulance Services approved by County of Brant
City staff continue to work diligently to find efficiencies to manage the financial impact of these pressures while maintaining a high level of service to citizens.
For more information regarding the 2019 budget process or to learn more about how residents can become involved, residents are encouraged to contact the City’s Contact Centre at 519-759-4150.