For roughly a decade, Estevan city council has sought the public's opinion on the annual city budget.
Most years, feedback has minimal. The city will receive a couple of correspondences that will be included in the agenda package during the meeting when the budget is approved. City hall might receive a few phone calls from people who want to give their thoughts. Council members might receive a few calls or emails as well.
In some years, the feedback has been non-existent.
There isn't a lot of big spending in this year's budget. The item that will get the most attention should be the $1 million for the continuation of the downtown revitalization project. Hopefully this project will be complete this year so that we can start to see whether there will be benefits from an economic development perspective – which will ultimately determine if this project will be a success.
There's also money for the Smith Street water reservoir pumps and electrical, the Hillside Playpark, vehicle fleet renewal, facilities, sidewalks and more. The city's debt is expected to decline by about $1 million and finish the year at around $11.6 million.
A two per cent property tax increase has been proposed by administration. Deep down, nobody wants to have a property tax increase, especially in a reassessment year when property taxes can be very unpredictable. But we're seeing other Saskatchewan cities with higher projected increases.
There are items in the budget I'd like to see, such as money for road resurfacing, or the continuation of the Perkins Street sidewalk that started last year (or the construction of a sidewalk from Fourth Street to Murray Street), but I know those things cost money and a lot of people are hurting financially right now and can't afford any additional cost of living increases than what they already have.
If people have thoughts on the budget, hopefully they'll share them, and do it in the proper fashion.
Maybe people think their comments on social media are the way to go. They aren't. Maybe they think council and/or the city's administration will see what they have to say on Facebook. But that's not a guarantee. A comment made on social media is as likely to be heeded as a comment made on coffee row.
If you have thoughts, the best way to address them is to reach out directly to the city's administration or to council members.
Are you in favour of the two per cent property tax? Let them know. (Yes, there are people who support small, incremental tax increases to ensure that capital projects happen). Do you have a problem with the property tax increase? Let them know.
Are there items that you think should be removed from the budget, or are there items that you think ought to be included? Share your thoughts accordingly and properly. Do you want to see something included for a third rink or a field house? Let them know.
(If there are expenses you think should be included, hopefully you'll have an idea in mind for what should be removed from the fiscal plan, or an idea on how the expense can be paid for).
And if you have ideas, be sure to express them coherently and respectfully. Keep your thoughts within the confines of good taste. And make sure that the person you're talking to knows what you're talking about.
I've long maintained that if the city (or another level of government) asks for your opinion, then share it. If they seek our feedback, and nothing comes in, then maybe that opportunity won't be there again in the future. It goes beyond budget deliberations; there will be other opportunities to share your thoughts during the year.
I hope the city receives more feedback on this year's budget than ever before. And hopefully those who do give feedback do it in the right way.
