Mayor Dave Augustyn’s Column for the week of 16 October 2017
Do you have any suggestions on how the Town should use your money to improve our Town?
Council will begin our 2018 budget process with a special public meeting where we listen to you and other members of the community about what you would like to see in next year’s and future budgets. That meeting will occur on Monday, October 23 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber at Town Hall.
Pelham Council first started this type of a “pre-budget consultation” eleven years ago – for the 2007 Budgets. We continue each year to welcome residents, representatives of sports teams, service clubs, and committees, and businesses and property tax payers to provide input and ideas.
I am pleased that, following Council deliberations each year, we have been able to follow-through on most of the suggestions offered by your friends and neighbours. In previous years, folks have requested a dog park, a skate park, sidewalks along a number of roads, crosswalks, sport field improvements, sidewalk snow clearing on every sidewalk in Town, partnerships on service club signs, and a new community centre. Town Council discussed each of these requests, and most have been approved or are scheduled in future budgets.
That’s why we are undertaking this consultation process again. Council and I want to hear directly from you about your needs, wants, and ideas for our Town. Our community improves when more and more people become involved in its success!
And, this is just the start of our 2018 budget discussions:
- Pre-Budget Consultation – beginning October 23, 2017;
- Draft Capital, Operating, Water & Waste Water Budgets available to the public – December 1;
- Draft Capital, Operating, Water & Waste Water Budgets presented to Committee of the Whole – December 4;
- Council consider approving Capital, Operating, Water & Waste Water Budgets – December 18;
New this year: Staff will be recommending the Operating and Water & Waste Water budgets early as well – to get them approved before we actually start the budget year.
Would you prefer to provide written input? Simply send a letter via email to a special email address: ourbudget@pelham.ca. You will also soon be able to view background budget information at the Town’s website: www.pelham.ca/en/services/Budgets-and-Reports.aspx
Not internet savvy? You can also provide written comments via normal mail c/o Town Clerk, Town of Pelham, 20 Pelham Town Square, P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0. You can also simply drop a letter off at Town Hall.
We hope to hear from you and look forward to discussing your ideas so that we can continue to build a better future for our Town together.
You may contact Mayor Dave at mayordave@pelham.ca to suggest future column or read past columns at www.pelhammayordave.blogspot.ca .
