The City of Airdrie is providing residents the opportunity to give feedback on its 2024 budget priorities through a new online survey.
According to the municipality, this is the first time the City will use an online survey to engage the public in its budget inquiries.
A City press release indicates the questionnaire will give council an insight into what Airdrie residents feel is important as they deliberate the 2024 budget. This will provide the elected reps with a community viewpoint on municipal services and capital projects, while also weighing in factors such as provincial requirements.
Mayor Peter Brown said in the press release the Cityis excited to use a new tool to engage the people of Airdrie. He vowed the feedback council receives from community members will be an important part of the budget-making process.
"We are very excited to launch this new annual survey that will give residents an opportunity to provide feedback on municipal services,” he said. "Community feedback is vital when council is making budget decisions."
Corporate Services and CFO Director for the City, Shannon Schindeler, said the new survey tool is interactive and the submissions remain anonymous.
Participants can move a slider to increase or decrease funding to each service area and then view the potential impact on their property tax bill and the services received, said Schindeler.
“The anonymous data they submit indicates their priorities around spending and services,” she said.
The City will also be accessing tools beyond the survey to collect information in the lead-up to the budget’s approval in December. The press release states that engagement took place at the City’s booth at the Home and Lifestyle show in April, and that residents will also have the opportunity to provide feedback during airdrieFEST on Sept. 9.
Residents can access the survey at airdrie.ca/budgetsurvey
