OK, armchair budget critics, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is now offering you the opportunity to craft the municipal budget.
Through an online program at chatham-kent.citizenbudget.com, ratepayers can now create their own budget, based on what they’d like to pay in key areas of municipal spending.
The interactive tool, which is a pilot project, lets people also see where their tax dollars are spent, as well as how much of their own property taxes go to each department and area.
Simply go to the website, plug in how much you pay in property taxes and begin.
Gord Quinton, the director of budget and performance services for the municipality, said an online survey of this kind was needed.
“The regular forums of budget open houses in January aren’t well attended and not representative of the population,” he said. “This won’t replace those, but now we can get people’s opinion and get people to understand the budget process.”
The target audience is younger families, ones who don’t necessarily have the time to attend the open forums on the budget, but can get online at their convenience.
Budget chairman and Chatham Coun. Derek Robertson said young families, and even younger citizens, cannot be overlooked.
“Young people in our community aren’t the future; they are the present. We’re reaching out to them with programs such as this,” he said.
He added public feedback in the budget process is not only welcomed, but rather it is “always critical and crucial.”
Mike Turner, chief financial officer for the municipality, loves the concept of Citizen Budget.
“We can show the community ‘this is what your taxes pay for,’” he said.
Robertson said the online component for budget feedback is long overdue.
“This is another tool in the box to gain understanding and provide advice,” he said. “This enhances our ability to consult with the public.”
Quinton thinks it will be an effective addition to that toolbox.
“It’s mainly an educational tool. I don’t think people understand what each element costs their home each year,” he said. “This is to get people thinking about where their tax dollars are going.”
The Citizen Budget survey allows participants to adjust funding for various sectors, such as engineering and transportation or fire and emergency services, as well as certain specific municipal buildings, such as the Bradley Centre.
Changes can shift up or down 10 per cent.
At the end of the process, participants will see how their preferences impacted their property taxes overall, and have an opportunity to provide additional feedback for municipal officials.
Quinton said it cost the municipality $6,000 to gain access to the software.
For citizens who prefer the face-to-face of public forums, the 2017 budgetary process begins Jan. 18.
