HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Agenda - 2019-01-21 - 2019 Public BudgetKiTc�tvER
Office of the City Clerk
Kitchener City Hall
200 King St.W. - 2nd Floor
Kitchener ON N2G 4G7
Page 1
Finance & Corporate Services Committee
Special Meeting Agenda
Monday, January 21, 2019
7:00 p.m.
Council Chamber
Chair - Councillor S. Davey
Vice -Chair - Councillor P. Singh
* Members of Council are asked to bring previously circulated budget materials to use as reference for
this meeting.
Discussion Items
1. Draft 2019 Budget - Public Consultation
a) Remarks - Director of Financial Planning
b) Registered Delegations
Pursuant to Council's Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the
Committee for a maximum of 5 minutes.
• Iain Klugman, Communitech
Information Items
• Issue Paper - 2019 Public Budget Input
(Materials to be circulated under separate cover)
Jeff Bunn
Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk
** Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to
take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 **
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
ISSUE: BD## — 2019 Budget Public Input
FUND: Operating and Capital
DEPARTMENT: All
PREPARER: Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning
BUDGET ASK: None
Public input into budget matters starts well before the formal budget process. This includes
City-wide consultations such as the Community Survey conducted in 2018 by Environics and the
2016 Neighbourhood Strategy, as well as more focused consultations for specific topics such as
the Kiwanis Park Pool (2015), or City Hall Outdoor Spaces (2016).
In addition to these consultations, the City also provides opportunities for the public to provide
feedback about the proposed budget during the budget process.
Budget consultation is done through traditional means like mail, phone, or in person during
Public Input Night (January 21, 2019) as well as electronic means like email, responding to City
of Kitchener Facebook and Twitter posts, or through the Engage Kitchener survey about the
2019 budget.
By far the budget feedback method with the most participation has been the online Engage
Kitchener survey. When the survey close on January 16th, a total 360 unique people visited
the survey, with a total of 255 people providing responses. Some of the highlights from the
survey include:
• A majority of residents saying the proposed increases to the tax rate (2.3%) and water
utilities rates (6.5%) are very/somewhat reasonable
• A strong majority of respondents (79%) saying the summary budget information is clear
and easier to understand
• Maintaining & Investing in Infrastructure (36%) being the most important area of
strategic investment to respondents, followed by Road Safety & Cycling (26%) and
Environmental Sustainability (25%)
o Graph of responses for this question is on the following page
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q7 I Which strategic priority identified in the 2019 Budget is of the greatest importance to you?
17(6.8%)
66(26.5%)
90(36-1%)
13 (5.2%)
Question options
(click items to hide)
63 {23.3%)
Road Safety & Cycling Environmental Sustainability cD, Improving Customer Service
Maintaining & Investing in Infrastructure M `these priorities are not important to me
The unedited budget survey responses collected through Engage Kitchener have been attached
to the issue paper. This includes graphs of survey responses as well as any comments provided
by respondents.
None.
For information only.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q1 I Do you feel that the City of Kitchener provides good value through our services?
140 (SS.3
19(7.5%)
Question options
(Click items to hide)
0 Yes, the City delivers good value
The City delivers good value in some areas, but others need improvement
No, the City does not deliver good value
94(37.2%)
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q1A Additional Comments:
Dec 2118 Garbage collection needs improvement
01:56:42 pm
Dec 2118 Some of the roads in the city are in dire need of replacement - not just little fixes like
02:59:00 pm patchwork here and there but full replacement. (IE Ottawa between HWY 85 and King)
Dec 2118 No improvement road safety, wasted money by installing very poor speed limit devices in some
03:58:37 pm communities. Need camera in round about and speed limit control device in busy road to
control racing. Need more control on drug. People are so rude if we refuge to give changes.
Dec 2118 Leave collection is ineffective and the money would be better spend on improving snow
06:52:25 pm removal on sidewalks. More helpful for everyone.
Dec 2118 Roads are dangerous. Police not doing enough. City not designing safe roads. The Shirley is very
10:30:53 pm unsafe. 5 lanes/50km/h means driver's average 70km/h
Dec 22 18 I appreciate the willingness to fund the library - it brings so much value to the community
09:00:40 am beyond arts and literacy.
Dec 22 18 Very excited about the proposed cycling infrastructure! 11
04:24:15 pm
Dec 22 18 Seems to waste a lot of money on stupid projects. Example the 700,000 + for a washroom on
09:59:44 pm complex on Huron Rd. Why not build a washroom for outside use on the arena they are going
to build like they have in Wilmot
Dec 23 18 The city/region continues to scale back on quality of services while subjecting us to tax rate
07:52:11 am increases. This seems to be i n support of the LRT pet project which has been a disaster to
date.
Reduced garbage pickup, slower snow clearing, and worsening roads all feed into the idea that
council wants something shiny instead of maintaining what exists today and servicing their
constituents.
Dec 27 18 the coty allows some residents to rake leaf littler on to road, while others have to pay to have it
09:38:57 am removed. It's dec. 27th and i still see a ton of streets with leaf litter. This is terrible for our
drainage system
Dec 27 18 The city does a good job providing a wide complement of services on the budget allocated. 1
06:58:39 pm believe that we could do even more if we increase taxes slightly above the rate of inflation
(providing tax relief to those requiring it)
Dec 29 18 Bicycle lanes and sidewalks on any rebuilt street is a waste of tax dollars. Common sense
03:41:21 pm should be used in deciding where these services make sense. Enforcing a blanket policy shows
a lack of willingness to put thought into operation.
Dec 29 18 I'd like to see more analysis around value for money around staffing.
09:07:20 pm
Jan 02 19 When I compare our taxes with other comparable regions, we seem to get comparable services
11:35:08 am (with a few notable exceptions), at a similar or lower cost.
Jan 02 19 Bylaw needs to be more proactive, the fire service should be regionalized,also who pays for all
06:16:34 pm the damage to the bollards downtown.we should also look into leasing some equipment
instead of buying it.we should also review services as provided and look at contracting out
some services.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 03 19 Staff at City should have higher utilization. I previously worked at the City of Kitchener in the
08:48:47 am Transportation Debt. A lot of staff were completing personal tasks more often than city
business. Being at the Regional level now I see the Region operates at higher utilization.
Therefore hiring additional FTE staff would be a poor use of public sector funds
Jan 03 19 More improvement is needed in community services as well as protection of the environment
09:05:35 am including green economy
Jan 03 19 Need to look at expanding fire service to keep up with a growing community and reduce
05:38:41 pm response times in our vulnerable areas
Jan 05 19 The amount of money in the budget spent on fire services is crippling!
07:59:43 am
Jan 05 19 Continue to increase community based services for seniors. Increase focus on accessibility and
12:28:17 pm Age Friendly designations
Jan 06 19 I'm surprised a city of this size doesn't clean side walks after snow fall.
10:07:25 am
Jan 06 19 Unaffordable housing and horrible public transportation shows everyone that the City is doing
11:24:06 am a bad job. And the infrastructure is falling apart because you did not maintain it for 50 years.
The city is approaching dystopian levels. Everything is going downhill.
Jan 06 19 No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19 Need better services for disabled, terrible bus service, homeless, immigration to many in
03:55:29 pm Kitchener
Jan 06 19 Many areas of the city still see a shortfall with small neighbourhood parks in new subdivisions.
08:21:17 pm When will we push the development industry to complete their due diligence when completing
subdivisions.
Jan 06 19 The shared bike lanes in downtown Kitchener are not working. Cars simply do not share the
10:30:56 pm road, and there is no enforcement. Bicycles are slower than cars, and therefore impede traffic;
this causes drivers to lose their patience and drive dangerously. I have witnessed many near
accidents in these lanes: they are worse than no infrastructure at all.
Jan 06 19 mostly the down area is underserviced
11:14:26 pm
Jan 07 19 Need to find ways of chopping the tax increase
05:26:23 pm Unacceptable
Jan 07 19 Improvements in cycling and active transport facilities are greatly needed.
07:29:19 pm
Jan 07 19 City department s are not always able to deliver the beast service, they are union issues at
07:57:30 pm stake.let alone pension issues
Jan 07 19 1 think service for people with significant disabilities can be improved in our community.
08:13:39 pm Particularly in the area of accessible washrooms and sidewalk clearing.
There are very few public buildings with adult -sized adjustable change tables and I don't think
there are any public washrooms that have both an adult change table and a lift. For persons
who require assistance having a lift is paramount to safe transfers. Not having fully accessible
washrooms (ie., adult change tables and lifts) denies persons with disabilties the same access
to quality of life as people without disabilities.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Sidewalks should not be an impediment for persons with mobility problems. I was quite
disappointed when council voted not to clear the sidewalks. Snow and icy sidewalks are both
dangerous and an obstacle for persons with mobility challenges. The cost of clearing is small
compared to the benefit of having safe and navigable sidewalks. Also, by not having city cleared
sidewalks there are often mounds of snow left at street corners and intersections which
prevents people in wheelchairs from being able to cross roads and makes crossing more of a
challenge for ambulatory people with mobility challenges.
Jan 07 19 Too much focus is on the down town core. Other neighbourhoods are left out and loose out to
09:22:44 pm special interests such as cyclists.
Jan 07 19 There is too much focus on public transportation. Water/sewer/storm water rates are out of
10:29:48 pm hand and the highest of all utility services, they need to stop going up and ideally decrease.
Jan 08 19 '1 was pleased to see your 2019 budget prioritized: upgrades and improvements to
07:44:29 am infrastructure, bike lanes, tree canopy and the Rail Trail. As a members of the Lakeside Working
Group, having met the City of Kitchener's Operations Manager about salt management, may I
suggest investing in:
-more rotating sweepers (like the one being used in Victoria Park)
-newer small salt clearing machines
You're now salting secondary trails (I.E. Lakeside Park), do it in more salt friendly ways!
Clayton
Jan 08 19 We need to spend more on public transport and cycling
07:50:35 am
Jan 08 19 Road maintenance and affordable housing need improvement
11:19:35 am
Jan 08 19 Safety and access to help - we need to increase taxes to increase the budget for WRPS and
03:30:34 pm ROW Paramedics.
Jan 08 19 you spend all our money on non core essentials and then raise our taxes every year to pay for
03:50:42 pm our core essentials while they fall out of disrepair because there is no money to properly
maintain them because you keep waiving all the development fees that are there to pay for
these things
Jan 08 19 Medical and policing need much better funding. Waits and services in hospitals are very poor!
04:57:57 pm
Jan 08 19 Poor control and follow up on trail and parks infrastructure projects. For example Gildner Park
08:37:49 pm left uncompleted and unusable for an excessive number of months. Work on central section of
Iron Horse Trail sloppily done, such as construction refuse, concrete, signs, etc. left along trail?
Garbage containers installed four months ago at Gage St. still not available for use.
Jan 10 19 Too much money invested is services we don't want and or need. No bike lanes are needed. No
12:37:45 pm traffic calming. This is actually very dangerous, emergency services can't through. Traffic
calming causes cars to be idling on the road longer. Traffic calming causes more cases of road
rage. No roundabouts they are too dangerous, we never wanted them. They only look safe on
paper. The LRT is the worst thing the city has ever done. No one wanted it. We are a commuter
town, we will never stop using our cars. Stop trying to force us to give up our cars and use bikes
and public transit. Stop thinking about traffic control and start thinking about traffic flow. With
good traffic flow you will have good traffic control. We don't want to be a big city. Stop
growing. No more condos.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 10 19 Cycling with separate, protected lanes should be a priority, as should other climate change
03:26:26 pm initiatives.
Jan 10 19 The city should be focused on cost neutral initiatives or quick turnaround initiatives.
06:41:46 pm
Why are we redoing Carl Zehr square AGAIN... He is rich and he should be paying for it if its
going to be named after him.
Jan 1119 More focus on roads and traffic safety.
01:07:23 pm
Jan 12 19 a lot of wasted money on slitting jobs between regional and city responsibilities ... roads
11:53:07 pm especially, 3 local call centers, staffing, etc.
Jan 13 19 The leaf collection program should be scrapped.
10:53:34 am
Jan 14 19 One area that needs improvement is the policy of only enforcing many bylaws after residents
11:24:28 am complain. Proactive enforcement of parking restrictions and snow removal, for example, would
improve user experience in the city.
Jan 14 19 1 think that some attention needs to be paid to areas like mine (Lancaster, running from
11:29:16 am Victoria to Bridge) that are residential areas, on extremely busy roads, with zero biking
infrastructure. There are other, similar areas, and it can be very intimidating to cyclists.
Especially those who are a little less experienced.
Jan 14 19 Winter sidewalk clearing is an example where bylaw enforcement only is not providing good
12:00:33 pm value.
Jan 14 19 Low-income earners, seniors and homeless have been given very little consideration in the
12:50:57 pm push to build highrises, office complexes and other structures that only benefit higher income
earners. Remembering that the first groups I mentioned do not get wage increases or bare
cost -of -living increases. New apartments in the downtown or really anywhere in Kitchener are
unaffordable to many. The pledge by builders to commit a VERY small % of units to low income
tenants is not enough and is unenforceable. Living in the downtown core without a car is the
best option but squeezing out people from that part of the city for the sake of money -making
developers who get around rules and pressure Council to bypass existing rules shows no
consideration for ALL citizens of Kitchener.
Jan 14 19 Emergency services are understaffed and spread thin. Both city run like the fire department
06:53:15 pm and regional like EMS and police. Hire more for a growing city
Jan 15 19 In general the City delivers good value. I do find that the City spends some money on frivolous
11:53:28 am things. For example, I think the purchase of electric motorcycles for bylaw enforcement staff
was an inappropriate use of funds. Gas powered vehicles would have been more cost effective.
Jan 15 19 need to improve snow removal services for home owners with disabilities.
07:50:17 pm also need to revise bylaws for those with disabilities or provide services to those with
disabilities to provide compliance with the current bylaws.
Jan 16 19 I'd like to see more programming/services for LGBTQ+ citizens.
12:05:16 am
Jan 16 19 The city is spreading drugs, cannabis and alcohol.
09:53:53 am This can be clearly noticed in the number of killings, shootings, accidents, stealing and murders
happening in the area in the last 6 months
Q2
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
How do you feel about the proposed 2.3% tax levy increase?
41(16.2%)
30(11.9%)
84(33.2%)
98(38.7%)
Question options
(Click irems to hide)
0 Very reasonable Somewhat reasonable Somewhat unreasonable Very unreasonable
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q2a Additional Comments:
Dec 2118
1.2%
01:56:42 pm
Dec 2118
Housing prices have increased ahead of inflation so this is double dipping.
02:39:49 pm
Dec 2118
City is growing like crazy need this increase for the future :)
03:08:20 pm
Dec 2118
How many people increase in salary due to inflation? Need survey on that.
03:58:37 pm
Dec 2118
In todays world we are all expected to do more with less, Efficiency's need to be applied
04:05:14 pm
before raising taxes as some of us are on fixed incomes and increases cause hardships on a
majority of us seniors in KW.
Dec 2118
Not current with the rate of inflation.
10:30:53 pm
Dec 22 18
Please tax me more. So many people are so desperate. I want them to be okay.
09:00:40 am
Dec 22 18
These yearly increases are absolutely ridiculous not every resident receives wage increases
09:58:30 am
and this is just a further burden on the lower income people.
Dec 22 18
Wish my income would rise 2.3%
09:59:44 pm
Dec 23 18
The increase of 2.3% is not simply an increase of 2.3%. Home values across the region have
07:52:11 am
skyrocketed over the past 5 years. With the assumption that MPAC is successful at
reassessing properties every 5 years that means that all, or most, of the gains in housing
value over the past 5 years should be captured. That is significantly more than 2.3%. The
average home in Kitchener has appreciated 25-30% in that time frame which means the
overall tax load is already going to be significantly above inflation without an arbitrary
increase.
Dec 27 18
the money we have saved on plowing this year should be good, since we havent had all that
09:38:57 am
much snow. Fire protection for what? and park maitenance for residents who don't use them
? How about we use some of that money for AFFORADLE HOUSING FOR KITCHENER
RESIDENTS
Dec 27 18
1 would like to see us increase it even a bit more in order for the city to provide better quality
06:58:39 pm
services to our city (including better walkability and cycling options, affordable housing
options, and more).
Dec 29 18
Close to the annual inflation rate. Everything goes up in price, and employees deserve to
03:41:21 pm
keep up with inflation.
Dec 29 18
1 am happy to pay higher taxes. I just want to know that we are spending money wisely at
09:07:20 pm
City Hall.
Jan 02 19
This is an inflationary increase which is actually no increase at all, since inflation affects real
11:35:08 am
buying power, the city is not increasing buying power.
Jan 02 19
We need more enforcement of the parking bylaws and less forgiveness.aImost daily I observe
06:16:34 pm
and used to call in but I am not here to do bylaws job,parking on LRT tracks, stopping in no
stopping zones,GRT bus stops.parking on sidewalks,can par Canada Post need I go on
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 03 19
08:48:47 am
Higher than last year's rate, so never a good thing. Especially with all the recent
developments in area. Seems odd to reduce development charges and inturn increase taxes.
One person's opinion. Would appreciate more education not on such things.
Jan 04 19
1 think the increase is too low. I'd rather pay a bit more in taxes and receive expanded
03:41:38 pm
services from the City.
Jan 05 19
Why should residents be expecting a tax increase? We should be glad when the phrase rate
09:45:24 am
of inflation is used. Why not make cuts to bonuses for fire services even once to allow no tax
Jan 06 19
or even 1% increase? City staff are well paid at the expense of some tax payers that live on
02:41:49 pm
far less money.
Jan 05 19
Being aware that all services that help make our community so great come out of this tax
12:28:17 pm
increase, I support an increase. I would like to see a higher proportion allocated to services
Jan 06 19
themselves, rather than to the staff who deliver the services.
Jan 06 19
1 disagree with the fact that my employee (the city employee) is getting paid more than the
11:24:06 am
average citizen is making in this city. So, what about real wage cuts like everyone else has to
endure. Why should you not have to life with the fact that everything is getting more
expensive while your real income stays stagnant?!
The reason why you want to rip out more money from my empty bank account is the fact
that you did not properly charge the residents for decades to get your votes. And now you
ask me to pay for all of that. I strongly disagree.
The 99% of the population (maybe not you, I understand), is not able to afford ANY
INCREASE! 111 We are all broken and already cut down our food intake to 1200-1500 calories
as groceries are getting more and more expensive.
I do not know where I would find the money to pay you more. My employer, like most
others, do not raise the real wage. If they raise it, it is never more than the inflation rate. And
that number is way too low for the working people.
Jan 06 19
1 would be happy to have an even bigger increase in order to have the city plow all it's
11:26:23 am
sidewalks and paved trails.
Jan 06 19
No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19
With the what the federal government is doing I feel this is just a little high, people just can't
03:55:29 pm
afford to keep up with all the bills, life
Jan 06 19
1 believe it is time to put projects like the Iron Horse trail on the backburner. These are all
06:40:48 pm
well and good but it is time to focus on the critical expenses only. You can't keep raising
property taxes, water and sewer rates and storm water. These are making it very difficult for
homeowners, especially seniors and low income individuals and families to afford to stay in
their homes.
Jan 06 19
This means that a built in wage increase of at least 2 % is considered. I also see new staff
08:21:17 pm
being hired. Why can't we keep some positions part-time? Making staff full - time means
additional costs for benefits and retirement/pension plans. Many businesses are looking at
using more part time staff or contract positions.
Jan 06 19
It could even be higher: the region is prosperous, so now is the time to raise funds to build
10:30:56 pm
infrastructure.
Jan 07 19
FD costs need to seriously be looked at and addressed rather than just continuously going to
12:30:26 pm
and awarded arbitration and increased pay. Their services for actual fires are dwindling and
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
majority of their responses are to medical calls. This is a continuous and out of control cost
that needs to be addressed
Jan 07 19
Tax hikes should never exceed the rate of inflation.
04:45:56 pm
Jan 07 19
You can find ways to cut the increase just look harder
05:26:23 pm
Jan 07 19
1 believe continued or perhaps even more emphasis on infrastructure upgrades is necessary.
07:24:53 pm
Short term repairs from "breakage" are more costly and continued water leaks are insidious
costs. Sadly, we have to "bite the bullet".
Jan 07 19
1 would be willing to pay more if it meant that our sidewalks and city street corners were
08:13:39 pm
cleared by the city. Having safe, navigable sidewalks and street corners is important for all
our citizens. The city of Toronto has been doing this for years and I don't understand how
our council could have voted against it.
Jan 07 19
1 mean I still don't understand how this is possible when there are hundreds of new houses
08:42:17 pm
being built and an average detached price of a house is 700k plus, and going up! Yet the city
still needs more money to keep up. Also why does this budget need to be looked at yearly? It
would save a significant amount of resources if everyone just instead decided on a 4 year tax
proposed levy, this way the councillors can focus on real issues like bringing more business in
the area or something like high speed rail? This should not be yearly, it's stupid, we all know
that every year they grow by 2% or something, just tell me "the next 4 years we project a tax
increase of 2.3% per year while maintaining same service levels, if we find a gold mine, we
will reduce it, have a wonderful 4 years!"
Jan 07 19
Cut back on grants to save money. Municipal government should be focused on
09:22:44 pm
infrastructure and community safety.
Jan 07 19
1 would prefer to see less wasted tax money rather than a tax increase every year.
10:29:48 pm
Jan 07 19
Why was there no effort put forth to reduce excess expenditures? Does the city really need
10:52:49 pm
to make biodiesel vehicles a priority? I think the city needs to rethink its priorities and pay
down its debt so it can actually afford to pay for the basics in the future.
Jan 07 19
I'll pay more to reduce our carbon footprint.
11:04:07 pm
Jan 08 19
Improve our city!
07:44:29 am
Jan 08 19
Nobody likes paying taxes, but if the region needs to either raise taxes or cut services, 1
08:40:36 am
prefer they raise taxes.
Jan 08 19
Any less would be a tax reduction, which is not what we want.
02:07:01 pm
Jan 08 19
It should be more. We are growing. We need to pay more for protection, for help when
03:30:34 pm
necessary.
Jan 08 19
it is too high because the city does not do enough to control its spending
03:50:42 pm
Jan 08 19
The mention of fire services is where millions of dollars is wasted. New trucks are not needed
04:57:57 pm
as frequently as they're purchased. Volunteer halls use "old" trucks for years without
problems. No need to waste millions on full time halls.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 10 19
If we are to continue to repair our aging infrastructure, it has to be paid for. And I for one
03:23:46 pm
feel it is an essential process to guarantee our quality of life for the future.
Jan 10 19
The operating budget should be directly correlated to the increase in residents and thus
06:41:46 pm
taxes... There is no reason for an additional levy increase aside from poor management by
councillors Paul Singh and Scott Davey - both are business men yet they are running our city
for their personal gain.
Jan 12 19
as a senior, my increase this year is 300.00 now tell me how much you want....... and where
11:53:07 pm
do I give what's left to, mtge, food, hydro, gas, car, insurance, charities, clothes, footwear,
lets not forget the infamous CAP AND TRADE, the list continues am I making my point? see
as how everyone wants the COST OF LIVING 11111 Please go ahead and answer that
question... MH
Jan 14 19
1 am happy to pay tax increases to maintain or increase services.
11:24:28 am
Jan 14 19
Surely with all the knowledge we have in City Hall, there must be a better option than a carte
12:50:57 pm
blanche across-the-board increase just because we have always done it this way? Can we
not be innovative and have a tiered tax system, bases on income, assets and make this a
"kinder, gentler" community? Do something different!
Jan 14 19
2.3% is too high. I already pay very high property taxes.
01:14:56 pm
Jan 15 19
My federal pension increased by 2.2%. So the increase is reasonable. A number below the
11:53:28 am
rate of inflation would be better.
Jan 15 19
City has let union wage s and benefits skyrocket. Fire protection costs are exorbitant
05:23:31 pm
Jan 15 19
citizens are being taxed enough, provide better streamlined services.
07:50:17 pm
hold the public and private sectors more accountable.
Jan 16 19
There is no reason for the increase as the services are bad and slow the way they are. If most
09:53:53 am
it should be a decrease.
Q3
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
How do you feel about the proposed 6.5% utility rate increase for water, sanitary and storm
water?
51(20.2%)
62(24.6%)
78 (31.0%)
61(24.2%)
Question options
{Click items to hide)
• Very reasonable Somewhat reasonable 07 Somewhat unreasonable Very unreasonable
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q4 Which statement best describes your attitude towards the city's service levels and property tax
increases?
53 (21.5%)
90(36.4%)
104 (42.1%)
Question options
(Click items to hide)
! 1 think taxes should he held flat, even if that means reducing service levels.
I'm OK with taxes going up around the rate of inflation to maintain service levels.
I'm willing to pay a little more than inflation if it means service levels get better
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q4a Additional Comments:
Dec 2118 Inflation forecast
01:56:42 pm 2018: 1.9%
2019: 2.0%
Dec 2118 Kitchener has been extremely resistant to citizen requests, so taxes should be cut until the
02:39:49 pm services meet expectations.
Dec 2118 Salary after tax is not increasing based on inflation.
03:58:37 pm
Dec 2118 You mention snow plowing but still sidewalks are not done some of us older folks cant do it
04:05:14 pm anymore I heard some talk about raising taxes to cover this is that whats include in the tax hike
Dec 2118 That includes water and sewers.
05:34:08 pm
Dec 2118 There was no comment section for the previous water question. Infrastructure improvements
06:52:25 pm designed for people should be prioritized. Not improvements for cars. We need fewer cars and
more people using other modes of transit.
Dec 2118 Spend more on recreation facilities, (specifically bike lanes and arenas).
09:49:08 pm
Dec 2118 Just wish that $$$'s were better spent.
10:30:53 pm
Dec 22 18 Water bills are already extremely high, mostly due to extreme high cost of sewer rates. Hydro
08:41:50 am bill drops but water bill goes up, ridiculously high for sewer rates. Too costly for average
homeowner.
Dec 22 18 I'd rather some of the infrastructure for water be charged out of property tax so the cost of
09:00:40 am funding it isn't exorbitant for low income families. I can afford it; they can't. We all need it, so
I'm happy to pony up in my own taxes.
Dec 22 18 It seems like the city staff are too lazy to figure creative ways to keep the increases lower.
09:58:30 am There must be inefficiencies somewhere, but it's much less work to just increase taxes.
Dec 22 18 And if it is necessary to maintain and improve our infrastructure.
03:53:52 pm
Dec 22 18 We want city-wide sidewalk shovelling. Fire Service costs too much; need to lower costs or
04:24:15 pm provide greater amount service to provide value.
Dec 23 18 The options to answer are misleading. My expectation is that the city maintains the current tax
07:52:11 am rate, absorbs the gains from housing value increases, and fixes the service level issues that we
have across multiple services today. I'm entirely in support of austerity measures when it
comes to buying new and shiny stuff; the city doesn't need it. It needs to finish the LRT, not
entertain the idea of extending it further, and stop non-critical spending in order to get services
back to a reasonable state as well as getting our debt back down to zero.
Dec 26 18 The City needs to explore new revenue streams (i.e., user fees) to fund projects and encourage
03:26:01 pm behavioural shifts (i.e., from single -occupant cars to transit/cycling). And parking - free parking
is not a worthwhile subsidy in our downtown core.
Dec 27 18 1 would pay extra to have the City maintain my sidewalk.
01:34:58 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Dec 27 18 City staff really do an excellent job at providing many great services within the budget
06:58:39 pm guidelines. However, it seems that there are many things we must say no to because of limited
staff/resources. While still ensuring that the most vulnerable have relief as needed, I would like
to see us increase our taxes slightly above inflation as I believe only then can we truly be an
example of a city doing great things and providing much needed services and amenities to all of
our citizens, especially those most vulnerable/isolated.
Dec 29 18 Kitchener should be putting greater effort into accessing matching provincial or federal
03:41:21 pm infrastructures funds to make our local tax dollars go farther.
Dec 29 18 Regarding increase in costs for services, what steps are being taken to ensure that the $111
09:07:20 pm million in staff costs (net of fire) are being used wisely? What efforts have been made to
optimize staff tasks and therefore costs?
Jan 02 19 Holding taxes flat is unacceptable, it results in our buying power being inflated away, and we
11:35:08 am will have to make cuts that will hurt our city.
Keeping taxes at inflation increases is the bare minimum, we will only be able to maintain
service, or make tradeoffs.
However, we are a growing city, and we should consider what new services we need to add to
best accommodate that growth. Some things may be expensive in the short term, but lead to
future prosperity.
Jan 02 19 As I have said before we need to review if the city is the best agent for the services
06:16:34 pm required.also not every city manager needs access to a city car or truck.the city is not a private
corporation.and not every manager in a private company's gets a car etc
Jan 03 19 Staff utilization is a key contributed. The City should better utilize current staff. Cross train staff
08:48:47 am to allow for this. Do not create any FTE positions in 2019. Council should not approve any FTE
positions, unless front line operational staff.
Jan 03 19 1 think taxes should be held flat, but find ways to at least maintain services levels as are now,
11:19:06 am although the population of the City is increasing and actually they should improve them.
Jan 03 19 1 would support significant increases associated with combating climate change.
12:28:30 pm
Jan 05 19 1 believe property taxes for those living along the flight path for the airport should get a break
07:59:43 am
Jan 05 19 We should be finding ways, at least one year, to not increase taxes. Is the City overstaffed?
09:45:24 am Changes to firefighters compensation? If we reduce the bonuses and incentives new
developers get that would mean a difference of millions of dollars, and they would still build
here.
Jan 05 19 1 think the 6.5% increase for water is completely unreasonable. Everybody has to use water,
11:54:09 am and there is really little ratepayers can do to manage this unreasonable increase.... for example,
most people couldn't realistically decrease their consumption by that amount to maintain their
current bills. On the other hand, the city refuses to consider ploughing their sidewalks like
other municipalities do to make the city more walkable and accessible for those with mobility
issues.... seniors, parents with strollers, etc.
Jan 06 19 I'm able and willing to pay more, but I'm concerned about people living on low income.
10:28:46 am
Jan 06 19 Reducing service levels? What is left?
11:24:06 am
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
You getting a ton of money and basically use it for your administration. You do not use it for the
people. If a company has financial problems, they do not keep all the adminstration staff and
fire the factory workers. Usually they want to produce the same output (service) with less input
(money).
So, fire all those extra staff you have sitting around in this monstrosity of a city hall (palace) and
start working for the people. I want snow plows, I want schools, I want water, I want power, I
want transportation, I want roads.....
I do not want to have a 100 people sitting on their desks and stamp paper.
May some transparency?!?!? We, the people, run this government. We should know what is
going on. I want to know where you spend your money. Every single cent! With bills and
explanation. Total transparency so the swamp dries up!
Swamp you saying??? Guess what, I can read and have eyes. You just spent 600,000 CAD on a
"washroom" at this nice new fancy south end park you are building. You think we do not know
that the developers around this park gave you some nice gifts? We are not stupid!
Jan 06 19 What additional services were added last year that necessitated and increase in our tax rates? 1
11:27:36 am figure city employees got a raise but many of us who work for the private sector did not. The
6.5% increase in water rates (which we were unable to comment on) seems outrageous since
water is a necessity of life.
Jan 06 19 No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19 With the amount of money you take in, why should we lose any services? How about reducing
03:55:29 pm your pay, or at least a freeze, between the provincial and federal government there is little for
the worker, the families, single parents, disabled, this has gotten out of hand and things need
to be reduced. with no service cuts.
Jan 06 19 Although I agree with inflation rate tax levy, I also believe that as more people are being faced
08:21:17 pm with doing more at work with the same pay, the City continues to add to their staff
compliment. The service levels can be maintained if we ask for a bit more from city staff.
Jan 06 19 Large developments like condo building developers should have to pay more upfront since
09:17:50 pm they put a greater stress on infrastructure.
Jan 06 19 as long as money is well spent.
11:14:26 pm I think bus transportation is a little expensive.
would like to see 3 dollar flat fee. 2 hour transfers and under 10 free
Jan 07 19 Raised taxes means better public service.
09:56:01 am
Jan 07 19 Governments should not, in general, borrow money. So pay off the current loans and free up a
04:45:56 pm bunch of tax money that is currently servicing debt.
Jan 07 19 I'm happy to pay more so long as service levels are getting better. It makes sense!
04:50:33 pm
Jan 07 19 Unfortunately, increases in costs for various City services, like infrastructure, do not follow the
07:24:53 pm CPI; never have. Therefore, it is unreasonable in my view, for taxpayers to expect as such.
The value of my home has increased nearly 10 fold since 1978 while my total tax bill since then
has gone up about 3.5X. I'm not advocating uncontrolled increases, however, we must stay
ahead of the curve on our infrastructure deficit.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 07 19 We need to invest to maintain and improve environmental adaptations to climate change.
07:29:19 pm
Jan 07 19 We must work hard at clearing our infrastructure deficit.
07:33:21 pm
Jan 07 19 The water increase is a bit of a concern and I suggest you make the rationale clear ... is it
07:52:46 pm because the infrastructure is aging and needs to be replaced at a faster rate thus needing more
effort (money)?
Jan 07 19 We need to make sure our city is accessible and safe for all our citizens.
08:13:39 pm
Jan 07 19 Listen, like I said, don't do this every year, do this every 4 years, and this should free the
08:42:17 pm councillors time enough that they can pool all this time into finding other efficiencies, so by the
time we get to year 4 we hold the taxes flat, I swear I should just run for mayor. Also, would be
really nice to have a simple and clear and easy to read budget so that every citizen can read it
and see how the %'s split. Finding this data is ludicrous.
Jan 07 19 They have not proven that they can wisely manage the taxes they receive now.
09:22:44 pm
Jan 07 19 Taxes shouldn't need to go up to MAINTAIN service levels, they should only need to go up to
10:29:48 pm increase service levels.
Jan 07 19 See previous comments, cut expenses and pay down debt. That should be the priority of the
10:52:49 pm city.
Jan 07 19 I'm willing to pay more for green initiatives.
11:04:07 pm
Jan 08 19 1 would be willing to pay a little more if services actually got better but they don't. We pay
02:40:36 am more and more taxes and the level of poor service doesn't improve.
Jan 08 19 My answer is reflective of how I feel about sidewalk snow shoveling. I wouldn't have a problem
11:07:39 am if my taxes went up to help pay for City sidewalks to be cleared.
If that isn't going to happen then the taxes should ONLY go up around the rate of inflation.
Jan 08 19 But the services have to improve!
11:19:35 am
Jan 08 19 i think the city has to look at itself to reduce operating costsM!
03:50:42 pm
Jan 08 19 Garbage collection is bi weekly so where is the savings gone? How much money was wasted on
04:57:57 pm LRT still not operational?
Jan 09 19 It depends if the services are actually getting to the people who need them most in the city -
11:02:06 am but I do think if more services are provided, I would be willing to pay more
Jan 10 19 1 believe that the City and Region wastes money on "nice to haves". The City should sharpen
02:48:24 pm it's pencil. Stop spending tax dollars on special interest groups and put that money toward
necessities like roads, sewer, water, and safety (ie. police and fire departments)
Jan 10 19 1 think taxes should be flat with the same service levels.
04:39:27 pm
Jan 10 19 1 dont agree with these three statements. Taxes should be held flat and service levels should
06:41:46 pm not be affected. The current council should focus on finding efficiencies in our city operations.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Investing in biodeisel vehicles is a tremendous waste of time and money - we should be
investing ONLY in electric vehicles. The city should install free charging stations throughout the
city - powered by solar panels.
There should be greater incentives for residents to reduce water and electricity use. The city
should eliminate ALL fees associated with the installation of solar panels and the city should put
pressure on KWHydro to do the same.
The city should be investing in better cycling infrastructure. This will save us SIGNIFICANT
money in the long run as there will be fewer cars on the road if adequate infrastructure is put
in place - separated bike lanes are a mustH 1
Jan 12 19 please rad my previous comment about cost of living increase
11:53:07 pm
Jan 13 19 Willing to pay more to support better pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
10:53:34 am
Jan 14 19 What about keep taxes flat, increase efficiencies and improve service levels.
10:21:28 am
Jan 14 19 As long as the use of these tax increases are evident in the improvements
11:29:16 am
Jan 14 19 Same reasons as before. As a pensioner receiving bare increases in CPP, and OAS how do you
12:50:57 pm expect seniors to handle such an increase?
Jan 14 19 There should be an accounting of how surpluses from the Kitchener Utilities are being used and
02:41:53 pm where. For example, there was a surplus in the gas prices that were being paid from 2008-
2015 (at a fixed rate for five years) when the gas prices had actually crashed and were being
prices at much less
Furthermore, I have a special objection to the so-called safety valves (at a cost of $80 per unit)
that are installed on the new rental hot water heaters which prevent water from becoming too
hot. After dealing with luke warm hot water since the thing was installed, I finally turned it all
the way off ... Guess what? I finally have semi -hot water ... You know why? The hot water tank
itself has a limiting device on it, to prevent scalding.
So the question really is, why are these things installed, causing people to burn more gas to get
lukewarm water, and being charged for their installation, when the tanks already have the
limiting device on it
Just a couple of utility based questions for you...
Jan 15 19 Capital expenditures that reduce or hold -flat ongoing liabilities are preferred. For example,
10:14:41 am traffic calming or road diets reduce rather than expand the future costs of traffic enforcement,
signalling equipment, property damage (from accidents), and in some cases snow clearing.
Narrower roads with wide multi -use trails also creates an opportunity to burry more utilities
outside the expensive motorway pavement.
Jan 16 19 For the last 15 years I am getting the same level of services if not less and all that is happening
09:53:53 am is just increasing the tax saying it's for better services and nothing changes.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q5 If the City of Kitchener could invest more in any one service, what should it be?
Dec 2118 1. Lovemyhood
01:24:50 pm 2. Recreation facilities
Dec 2118 Community Centres
01:56:42 pm
Dec 2118 picking up the loose garbage that is all over the city.
02:12:08 pm
Dec 2118 Using the wealth of local technology on a pilot or trial basis for smaller groups before rolling
02:18:01 pm out city-wide
Dec 2118 Cleaning up the city so it looks less like a dumpster fire south of queen street.
02:39:49 pm
Dec 2118 Road repairs
02:59:00 pm
Dec 2118 the Police as the city grows so does our crime rate they need help to try and keep our city safe
03:08:20 pm
Dec 2118 Pedestrian and bike infrastructure
03:09:05 pm
Dec 2118 Parks
03:09:56 pm
Dec 2118 Education funding should not be changed. Need Road Safety with proper and long lasting
03:58:37 pm device. City can earn more money by implementing more penalty by using those device.
Funding should be same for Snow removal. We are not safe leaving our home locked. Bad
people try to enter by breaking door, window, etc.
Dec 2118 sidewalk repairs and snow plowing of sidewalks so many trip hazards
04:05:14 pm
Dec 2118 Bike trails that are safe.
04:32:43 pm
Dec 2118 No opinion.
05:34:08 pm
Dec 2118 Sidewalk snow clearing of all sidewalks.
06:03:46 pm
Dec 2118 Cycling and pedestrian infrastructure needs to be made safe... proper protected bikelanes, not
06:17:00 pm the garbage like uptown waterloo. Look at what Vancouver, Ottawa, Montreal, and
Minneapolis have done.
Dec 2118 Cycling and people infrastructure. Ecological enhancements - trees on empty boulevards which
06:52:25 pm also slow down cars. Speed problems in general across the city
Dec 2118 Roads
07:05:41 pm
Dec 2118 Cycling infrastructure. Connect all ends of the city. More direct routes cutting through the
09:25:52 pm downtown.
Dec 2118
09:49:08 pm
Dec 2118
10:30:53 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Arenas and bike lanes
Traffic design. Speed studies. Pedestrian safety. Crossing guard shortage.
Dec 2118 homeless services.
10:35:55 pm
Dec 22 18 Parks and Recreation
08:25:39 am
Dec 22 18 Seniors. More training and hiring of PSW's for in home care and Long Term Care facilities. Also
08:41:50 am more investments into parks and walking trails.
Dec 22 18 Libraries
08:56:53 am
Dec 22 18 Social services. Particularly housing and addictions supports.
09:00:40 am
Dec 22 18 Auditor! Have someone check the financial records of the city. I'd wager we're buying $1000
09:58:30 am business lunches and other such nonsense.
Dec 22 18 I'm happy with the services the city offers and I think there could be trimming of the budget to
10:17:50 am leave taxes flat rather than increase them.
Dec 22 18 Parks and recreation.
12:20:17 pm
Dec 22 18 The city has done great work on its neighbourhood strategy. It should increasing funding for its
03:03:30 pm matching Grant so more community groups can fund projects.
Dec 22 18 Identification, conservation and protection of our built heritage.
03:53:52 pm
Dec 22 18 Sidewalk shovelling.
04:24:15 pm
Dec 22 18 The Kitchener Aud
09:59:44 pm
Dec 22 18 road works / pavement repairs
11:56:15 pm
Dec 23 18 Garbage pickup.
07:52:11 am
Dec 23 18 affordable housing
10:14:18 am
Dec 23 18 Low income housing
02:23:16 pm
Dec 24 18 Get the drugs and the homeless off the street!
12:32:06 pm
Dec 26 18 road/streetscape/pedestrian realm/cycling safety (i.e., Vision Zero)
03:26:01 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Dec 27 18 affordable housing, better education for residents and mid class jobs for low income family;s
09:38:57 am
Dec 27 18 Sidewalk snow maintenance.
01:34:58 pm
Dec 27 18 Shaded areas for parents to easily supervise their children
04:18:10 pm
Dec 27 18 Walkability & bike-ablility - clean sidewalks, groomed and well lit trails, shared trails between
04:54:01 pm pedestrians and bicycles in low pedestrian zones rather than car -bicycle sharing, safe trail
crossings.
Dec 27 18 Safe, walkable city. This includes wide sidewalks, clear, well-maintained sidewalks and cycling
06:58:39 pm lanes. More secure bike cages/parking throughout the city. Protected walking and cycling
trails/lanes. Human -scale development that allows for reduced parking minimums for
development near transit. Close streets to cars more often to open them up for people.
Dec 28 18 Road Maintenance
08:11:13 am
Dec 28 18 Infrastructure, replacing old sewer pipes. Better paving of roads so they last more then a
09:15:00 am season
Dec 28 18 Kaizen activities to reduce city operating costs
02:46:02 pm
Dec 29 18 Forestry. Increasing the canopy of the city will have numerous positive returns for the city and
03:41:21 pm its population
Dec 29 18 Inflow and Infiltration in sanitary (and storm) systems. To my knowledge, we are not tracking
09:07:20 pm this at all, but good engineering practise insists that we do. Residents pay directly for this
through user fees and the capital budget. At the very least, we should be tracking and reporting
on it every year.
Dec 30 18 Extended hours for transit/buses
12:09:47 am
Jan 02 19 Paying off any debt.
06:39:40 am
Jan 02 19 Winter sidewalk snow removal.
11:35:08 am
No number two.
Jan 02 19 sportsfields
03:49:06 pm
Jan 02 19 Publice transportation, change the city and the regions car mentality
06:16:34 pm
Jan 02 19 Additional express GO train service to/from Toronto at peak hours, and free parking at the GO
08:28:52 pm Transit lot for monthly pass holders.
Jan 03 19 Services for seniors.
12:54:27 am
Jan 03 19 Roads. not cycling, but actual road reconstruction. Not traffic calming measures that disturb
08:48:47 am newly constructed roads. Look at the capital forecast for roads and acceleration should be
considered for those that are at end of life cycle.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 03 19 Green services
09:05:35 am
Jan 03 19 Hiring individuals from underserved communities to better serve them and allocate resources
11:09:02 am to the most vulnerable in Kitchener
Jan 03 19 Public Transportation, should be a big focus. Instead of paying maintenance of this LRT trucks
11:19:06 am without using them, the city should speed up the process of start using this new transport.
Also, they should increase the number of the buses running, so that more people to use this
Public Transportation. Like that you increase the amount of money you collect to the budget.
Jan 03 19 Roads, there are some deplorable road conditions on many back roads (i.e. Stanley Park area,
11:48:20 am Old Chicopee) There are also some road projects that seem to take forever, allocate funds to
fixing our infrastructure. People can't get around easily to enjoy any of the city that you're
putting our money into
Jan 03 19 Public transit.
12:28:30 pm
Jan 03 19 Sustainability, efficiency, and responsibility for city funds spent
12:45:56 pm
Jan 03 19 Snow removal - particularly sidewalk snow removal
12:58:39 pm
Jan 03 19 More roundabouts at intersections especially ones that are small and would help with left
04:10:46 pm turns, such as Tillsley and Westmount in Country Hills West
Jan 03 19 Fire service
05:38:41 pm
Jan 04 19 City should take care of snow removal in all areas. Residents pay taxes, and should NOT be
11:07:53 am responsible for snow removal.
The action City promised to help seniors with snow removal, was total fiasco. People were
calling and couldn't get any help or answer : who , and how can remove snow on their
properties ( even if they were willing to pay for that)! !
Thanks, that so far we didn't get much snow.
But City DID remind everyone about the consequences ( pay 0 !), if snow be not removed 111
Jan 04 19 Cycling infrastructure
02:50:41 pm
Jan 04 19 Making the city more walkable and cycle -friendly through MUTs and separated bike
03:12:28 pm infrastructure
Jan 04 19 Active transportation - a safe, protected, connected network of trails will have an impact on
03:41:38 pm climate change, public safety, public health, place -making, community building.
Jan 05 19 Something that can help make the city money (ie tourist attraction) to help ease tax payer
07:59:43 am contributions.
Jan 05 19 Providing the services to those in need in the city. Seniors or disabled who want to remain in
09:45:24 am their homes, reduce homelessness.
Jan 05 19 The city should be responsible for removing the snow from their sidewalks. Homeowners are
11:54:09 am expected to maintain their property; the city should do the same. It is not easy for seniors and
commuters to reach the target of having the city sidewalks cleared down to bare pavement
within 24 hours (especially after people have tramped on the snow all day), and we are
discouraged from using salt to help accomplish this task. Instead, the city takes a punitive
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
approach, and uses tax $ to hire contract bylaw officers to enforce and hand out very stiff fines
($4001). 1 only pay $450 to have my sidewalks and double driveway cleared all winter!
Jan 05 19 Community Centres. Promotion of classes, increase options for seniors at more sites, add a
12:28:17 pm transportation budget line to ensure that people can actually get to the programs.
Jan 05 19 trails, bike infrastructure
01:34:08 pm
Jan 06 19 Support for people on low income and lived experience with drug use. Eg supervised
10:28:46 am consumption site
Jan 06 19 Community health supports.
10:48:07 am
Jan 06 19 HOUSINGH M We need public housing to lower the prices for everyone. Force developers to
11:24:06 am build a variety of housing options including mandatory affordable rental units. No segregated
neighborhoods.
Provide proper health and social services to the population in need. Get them help and make
the city a better place to life.
Jan 06 19 Increasing funding for quality design and implementation of connected, complete and safe
11:26:23 am pedestrian and cyclists infrastructure for all ages and abilities.
Jan 06 19 Land -- buy lots of land in surrounding areas. Then when Waterloo or Cambridge needs to
11:27:36 am expand sell them the land at a profit.
Jan 06 19 Bicycle infrastructure
12:03:48 pm
Jan 06 19 No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19 The social service is not helping out the Canadians that really need it, I go downtown and still
03:55:29 pm see people freezing on the streets, this needs to change. Too many people with mental health
problems.
Jan 06 19 Roads. Some are in horrible shape and are designed in an unsafe way (very short merge lanes
04:34:18 pm for example).
Jan 06 19 River and waterway protection by investing in garbage collection strategies around sewers,
04:57:20 pm gutters, and river banks.
Jan 06 19 financial audits of all on call departments
04:59:19 pm Financial accounting of bylaw enforcement and complaint only enforcement to enforcement
period to generate monies
Jan 06 19 Trees on residential streets
05:03:14 pm
Jan 06 19 Water and sewer infrastructure should be the priority.
06:40:48 pm
Jan 06 19 Amalgamate fire services
07:45:48 pm
Jan 06 19 1 don't feel that we need to invest in another service. Overall the variety of services that are
08:21:17 pm offered by the City cover many more areas than numerous cities that I have lived in or visited.
We could however preserve more of our historical buildings/heritage sites as this reduces our
impact on the environment.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 06 19 People outside of city hall.
09:04:36 pm
Jan 06 19 Trees.
09:17:50 pm
Jan 06 19 Trails in natural areas
09:45:22 pm
Jan 06 19 Sidewalk clearing
10:03:56 pm
Jan 06 19 I'm concerned by the handling of stormwater. Storms with strong downpours are going to get
10:30:56 pm more frequent, and I already see flooding or puddling in low-lying areas.
Jan 06 19 Love all the community centres. cheaper bussing cost. More and better bike lanes.
11:14:26 pm
Jan 07 19 Complete streets or parkettes
09:56:01 am
Jan 07 19 Affordable housing
10:44:43 am
Jan 07 19 Snow removal and road treatment, including city-wide sidewalk clearing.
11:00:19 am
Jan 07 19 Paramedic services
12:30:26 pm
Jan 07 19 anything that supports the marginalized in our community.
01:30:13 pm
Jan 07 19 Downsizing top level managers. More working people on the ground
02:13:27 pm
Jan 07 19 Sidewalk snow clearing. Paramedics.
04:32:20 pm
Jan 07 19 Infrastructure - Sewage, water, roads.
04:32:48 pm
Jan 07 19 Stop "Investing More". Utilize and optimize the funds currently available; as well as, decrease
04:40:57 pm current funding available.
Jan 07 19 PRT ( https:Hen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_rapid_transit )
04:45:56 pm
ion was a good idea, 60 years ago.
Driverless cars are coming; they will be the new public transport.
Jan 07 19 Tree maintenance (or allow property owners to maintain city -owned trees adjacent to their
04:47:09 pm properties).
Jan 07 19 A biased comment because I live in King St East. I would love to see more money spent on
04:50:33 pm cleaning up that area and making the area near Morris Car Wash part of the downtown core.
As you leave Downtown it is very obvious once you hit that area...
Jan 07 19 Biking infrastructure
05:01:39 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 07 19 Making residential areas safer by lowering speed limits or installing speed humps.
05:02:54 pm
Jan 07 19 Snowploughing
05:21:17 pm
Jan 07 19 Sidewalk snow removal.
05:22:47 pm
Jan 07 19 Would like more neighbourhood garbage cans. Would hopefully minimize the litter blowing
05:25:58 pm around the streets.
Jan 07 19 water
05:26:23 pm
Jan 07 19 Business development
05:26:42 pm
Jan 07 19 Winter sidewalk clearing for the whole city, or at least transit corridors.
06:31:21 pm
Jan 07 19 Sidewalk clearing in the winter
06:59:34 pm
Jan 07 19 Social supports for addiction
07:07:06 pm
Jan 07 19 Infrastructure outside of the core areas, especially Pioneer Park area. Community Centre has
07:14:27 pm been closed for ages now with very little progress and what is going to be done with it keeps
getting downgraded - meanwhile we have to drive 15-25 mins to get our children to an
overcrowded pool for swimming lessons because for some reason our area "can't support" an
indoor pool. Also, Homer Watson and Pioneer Dr. intersection is getting worse and worse for
pedestrians (mainly a lot of children and elderly). Have almost gotten hit or seen someone
almost get hit on an almost daily basis.
Jan 07 19 See previous and add recreation facilities.
07:24:53 pm
Jan 07 19 Trails and active transit options & connectivity
07:29:19 pm
Jan 07 19 See previous and add recreation facilities.
07:33:21 pm
Jan 07 19 Environment - pollution reduction (noise, light, air, water).
07:52:46 pm
Jan 07 19 When roads and services are due for an upgrade let's due our best to make it happen.also
07:57:30 pm when staff make an honest mistake let's deal with it with out the drama of union pretection.i
will say the easiest is to fire someone the hbardest is to see what and why it happened and we
as a team our going to do to fix it, and no you will not in the next year be promoted
Jan 07 19 Accessibility. We should have all of our public building fully accessible, including adult -sized
08:13:39 pm change tables and lifts. This includes libraries, parks and the GRT hubs.
Jan 07 19 HIGH SPEED RAIL to Toronto!
08:42:17 pm EXPEDITE the 401 and Highway 8 construction!
And whoever's doing the traffic planning for the Fisher Hallman and Huron intersections, that
person better be aware that Fisher Hallman needs to be 4 LANES WIDEM already or you will
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
have a 2 hour traffic jam at peak times, get that guy out there now and study this before it's
again 12 years too late!
Jan 07 19 Road maintenance and weed control in the summer.
09:22:44 pm
Jan 07 19 Improving the roads for drivers and households without children. Would be nice if there was
10:29:48 pm even a little focus put on improving the lives of people who don't fit into the stereotypical
target demographic of governments.
Jan 07 19 Paying down its debt.
10:52:49 pm
Jan 07 19 Environment
11:04:07 pm
Jan 08 19 More sustainable energy sources to lower the cost of energy to the consumer
02:40:36 am
Jan 08 19 Nothing. Tax rates are already higher than inflation rates. This is unsustainable
05:22:11 am
Jan 08 19 Preserve the Environment:
07:44:29 am
1. See #1. Improve winter salt management. If it means investing in technology and equipment,
do it. Which might mean higher taxes.
2. Regulate the tree canopy, by preventing residents from randomly cutting down trees.
3. Invest in storm sewers that are often overwhelmed by thunderstorms, spewing unwanted
contaminants into our lakes and streams.
Jan 08 19 Improve traffic flow by supporting a practical cycling infrastructure that does not involve
07:44:49 am restricting traffic by eliminating car lanes and adding cycling lanes. In many areas (like
Westheights) the cycling lanes are virtually never used because they run parallel to well
maintained trails. These lanes are unwarranted, costly, and are meant to appease a very small
but vocal group.
Jan 08 19 Alternate transport
07:50:35 am
Jan 08 19 roads
08:05:35 am
Jan 08 19 As a user of a number of parks, I am alarmed by the lack of forest management. I know that
08:40:36 am much of the budget is spent dealing with the Emerald Ash Borer, but would like to see the
forests better managed. Too many fallen trees and branches remain in place rather than being
cleared.
Jan 08 19 Shelters and homelessness support
09:02:46 am
Jan 08 19 Public transportation and making sure the city becomes more active transportation friendly
09:54:27 am (walking, biking etc)
Jan 08 19 parks and street tree maintenance! Increase and keep our tree canopy healthy!!!!!
10:16:17 am
Jan 08 19 Seniors - lower fees @ comm. centres, transportation, etc.
10:26:09 am
Jaii vo 1.:7 rUuung.
03:30:34 pm
Jan 08 19 infrastructure!
03:50:42 pm
Jan 08 19 Hospitals!
04:57:57 pm
Jan 08 19 Climate change initiatives. More events charging stations, better recycling programs, etc.
06:16:34 pm
Jan 08 19 Water
07:00:18 pm Environment
Jan 08 19 Winter park maintenance:
08:37:49 pm Keeping parks maintained year round with garbage containers.
More emphasis on outdoor park services and less on arenas.
Design parks for year round use, space for ball hockey makes more sense than outdoor rinks
anymore with our increasingly milder winters.
Jan 08 19 Environment is a very important investment. We need to educate the public on waste
09:18:08 pm management.
Jan 09 19 This survey should really list the services provided so it would be more clear as to what you are
10:46:55 am looking for.
Jan 09 19 More social housing projects to ensure Kitchener remains diverse and affordable for all.
11:02:06 am
Jan 09 19 Basic road upkeep, and keeping our roads open and usable for residents.
11:03:42 am
Jan 09 19 Don't "invest more". Utilize and optimize what is currently available and aim to reduced cost
02:47:46 pm and expenditures.
Jan 10 19 Public Transit
12:02:37 pm
Jan 10 19 crumbling infrastructure and roads
02:48:24 pm
03:23:46 pm
Jan 10 19
03:26:26 pm
road repair/maintenance
Cycling with separate, protected lanes should be a priority, as should other climate change
initiatives.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 08 19
Clearing City sidewalks of snow in residential areasH
11:07:39 am
Jan 08 19
1 don't have enough information to comment
11:19:35 am
Jan 08 19
Sidewalk snow removal
02:07:01 pm
Jan 08 19
More infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians
02:17:29 pm
Jaii vo 1.:7 rUuung.
03:30:34 pm
Jan 08 19 infrastructure!
03:50:42 pm
Jan 08 19 Hospitals!
04:57:57 pm
Jan 08 19 Climate change initiatives. More events charging stations, better recycling programs, etc.
06:16:34 pm
Jan 08 19 Water
07:00:18 pm Environment
Jan 08 19 Winter park maintenance:
08:37:49 pm Keeping parks maintained year round with garbage containers.
More emphasis on outdoor park services and less on arenas.
Design parks for year round use, space for ball hockey makes more sense than outdoor rinks
anymore with our increasingly milder winters.
Jan 08 19 Environment is a very important investment. We need to educate the public on waste
09:18:08 pm management.
Jan 09 19 This survey should really list the services provided so it would be more clear as to what you are
10:46:55 am looking for.
Jan 09 19 More social housing projects to ensure Kitchener remains diverse and affordable for all.
11:02:06 am
Jan 09 19 Basic road upkeep, and keeping our roads open and usable for residents.
11:03:42 am
Jan 09 19 Don't "invest more". Utilize and optimize what is currently available and aim to reduced cost
02:47:46 pm and expenditures.
Jan 10 19 Public Transit
12:02:37 pm
Jan 10 19 crumbling infrastructure and roads
02:48:24 pm
03:23:46 pm
Jan 10 19
03:26:26 pm
road repair/maintenance
Cycling with separate, protected lanes should be a priority, as should other climate change
initiatives.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 10 19 road repair/maintenance
03:26:47 pm
Jan 10 19 Never thought about it. I don't know
04:25:03 pm
Jan 10 19 Snow Removal from Sidewalks and reducing chronic homelessness.
04:39:27 pm
Jan 10 19 Investing in biodeisel vehicles is a tremendous waste of time and money - we should be
06:41:46 pm investing ONLY in electric vehicles. The city should install free charging stations throughout the
city - powered by solar panels.
There should be greater incentives for residents to reduce water and electricity use. The city
should eliminate ALL fees associated with the installation of solar panels and the city should
put pressure on KWHydro to do the same.
The city should be investing in better cycling infrastructure. This will save us SIGNIFICANT
money in the long run as there will be fewer cars on the road if adequate infrastructure is put
in place - separated bike lanes are a mustH 1
Jan 10 19 Long term Care homes, and home care for the aging population
07:24:40 pm
Jan 10 19 Healthcare and mental health services
10:30:14 pm
Jan 1119 Environmental.
10:39:32 am
Jan 1119 protecting and maintaining street trees instead of planting them (not watering them) and
12:04:51 pm waiting for them to die
Jan 1119 Transportation, Parks and trails.
01:07:23 pm
Jan 1119 Sustainability and environment
04:10:11 pm
Jan 12 19 More resources devoted to trails, especially connecting different areas to make getting from
07:01:55 am point A to point B a bit easier - we did it for roads!
Jan 12 19 Cycling infrastructure - specifically a coherent minimum grid of protected routes.
02:29:50 pm
Jan 12 19 Services and actions that work to address issues in sustainability and climate change.
03:53:18 pm
Jan 12 19 1 really like the idea of the new city website portal I read about online.
09:13:39 pm
Jan 12 19 reducing over staffing, reducing duplicated services with waterloo, and the region ie call
11:53:07 pm centers, road work and municipal services ... all are duplicated
Jan 13 19 More affordable housing especially in the downtown corridor where it is nnow unaffordable
03:53:14 am due to your train..
Jan 13 19 Pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.
10:53:34 am
Jan 13 19
04:11:53 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 13 19 trails/parks/walkability
08:13:33 pm
Jan 14 19 None
10:21:28 am
Jan 14 19 Paramedic services, code red situations have to stop!
10:33:25 am
Jan 14 19 Public Transit.
11:16:22 am
Jan 14 19 Trails and separated cycling facilities, specifically a connected grid of safe and friendly biking
11:24:28 am and walking routes throughout the city.
In particular, this should include making intersections and road crossings safe, rather than
having paths dead-end where they would be inconvenient to drivers.
Jan 14 19 Public waste removal bins (encouraging compost and recycling) and biking infrastructure
11:29:16 am
Jan 14 19 Winter sidewalk clearing, cycling infrastructure, traffic calming.
12:00:33 pm
Jan 14 19 Trails and dedicated cycling infrastructure
12:43:32 pm
Jan 14 19 Affordable, accessible housing, that is near city services, food stores, transit.
12:50:57 pm
Jan 14 19 Continuing with strategy around making Kitchener cycle and walking a priority.
02:02:32 pm
Jan 14 19 Becoming the most liveable city in Canada (biggest failing that needs investment, making it safe
02:46:34 pm to cycle, walk - you build it safe, they will actually come and then reduce congestion, promote
healthy living, make streets safer for kids, cleaner air etc.)
Jan 14 19 Bike lanes!
03:22:56 pm
Jan 14 19 Walkability.
03:48:16 pm
Jan 14 19 Bikes
03:58:13 pm
06:53:15 pm
Jan 14 19
08:15:06 pm
Emergency services. Fire department is under staffed for size of city.
Police services
Jan 15 19 Biking routes that allow cyclists to move around safely. Removing the medians on queen
07:50:50 am towards iron horse trail would improve safety. Keeping bike lanes away from the ion roads.
Engage cyclists about the routes especially those that use for getting to and from work
Jan 15 19 Snow clearing, especially for sidewalks and bicycle lanes
08:36:07 am
Jan 15 19 active transportation
09:32:01 am
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 15 19 Better public transit, with weekend service to all communities.
09:55:59 am
Jan 15 19 Active transportation infrastructure. This is the lowest hanging fruit for expenditures that both
10:14:41 am improve quality of life *and* reduce long term cost liabilities. Especially if done smartly, with
good coordination with transit and an emphasis on complete grids.
Jan 15 19 Public transportation
10:54:39 am
Jan 15 19 1 think the City should reduce service.
11:53:28 am
Jan 15 19 Road maintenance and grass cutting.
04:08:06 pm
Jan 15 19 Low income housing. The knock-on effects of doing a good job on this are tremendous.
04:42:51 pm
Jan 15 19 Maintenance of city parks. Add benches, trees in unshaded areas. Increase amount of public
05:10:49 pm green space.
Jan 15 19 Roads
05:23:31 pm
Jan 15 19 Recreational trail systems. It's all fine and good that a lot is being out into the iron horse trail
05:43:58 pm and making it all paved and well lit but the reality is that it serves a small portion of the
population. If you are outside the core area of the trail there are no comparable trails. If there
are they are gravel or so disconnected from each other that it doesn't allow for a nice family
Biking experience. I appreciate the efforts of creating bike lanes on busy city streets but what
about the average family that just wants to cycle for recreation? There's no where fully
connected for us to use. We live in the idlewood area and there's the trail that runs along the
river and up towards bingemans and beyond but it would be so much more enjoyable as a
paved surface and with reasonable link trails to access it so we can go on as minimal trails as
possible. We also have a neighbourhood trail that's paved but seemingly like 30 years ago and
never maintained so it's a horrible disaster of terrible patch jobs and crumbling asphalt so not
even use able for our young toddlers who are just learning to bike. These types of trails should
be properly maintained so people can use them and actually enjoy them and not trip over
crumbling asphalt
Jan 15 19 cycling facilities.
06:52:12 pm
Jan 15 19 provide more funding to hospital, those with disabilities
07:50:17 pm
Jan 15 19 Roads
08:03:50 pm
Jan 15 19 Physically-separated/protected bike lanes, and/or wider multi -use trails with centre -lines.
09:56:12 pm Major trails (in addition to Iron Horse) snow -cleared.
Jan 16 19 Education.
12:05:16 am
Jan 16 19 Getting better employees to think and to fix all the issues around the city
09:53:53 am
Jan 16 19 Libraries as they help many people for free
10:06:49 am
Yz
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
To what extent do you agree with the following statement: "The summary information related to the
2019 budget is clear and easier to understand."
12(6.0%)
29(14.5%)
17(8.5%)
Question options
(Click items to hide)
• Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree
142(71.0%)
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q6a Additional Comments:
Dec 2118 Very clear. Thank you!
01:24:50 pm
Dec 2118 Agree
01:53:40 pm
Dec 2118 Totally agree!
01:56:42 pm
Dec 2118
02:12:08 pm
Dec 2118
02:18:01 pm
Dec 2118
(17.2Q -AQ nm
n,) -n l nm
Disagree
I agree
Doesn't explain where the money goes.
Yes I understand it.
Dec 2118 yes it is fairly easy to follow
03:08:20 pm
Dec 2118 Agree
03:09:56 pm
Dec 2118 Yes, I understand that. But I believer that they are measuring based on looking only
03:58:37 pm government employees which is not right.
Dec 2118 some what,
04:05:14 pm
Dec 2118 Yes
04:32:43 pm
Dec 2118 Too many short forms like WIP who knows but the city what it means. So it could be a lot
05:34:08 pm clearer.
Dec 2118 wordy
06:52:25 pm
Dec 2118 Strongly agree.
07:41:36 pm
Dec 2118 Could use a line or 2 with more information
f1Q•')S•S') nm
Dec 2118 agreed
09:49:08 pm
Dec 2118 Can't comment.
10:30:53 pm
Dec 22 18 Agree it is easy to understand but don't agree with the new proposals or budget.
08:41:50 am
Dec 22 18 1 agree, but I'm lucky to be well educated.
09:00:40 am
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Dec 22 18 You're kidding, right!?
09:58:30 am
Dec 22 18 The summary could use a lot more detail. An in-depth breakdown of how much revenue the
10:17:50 am city will receive with these increases and where it is being spent would be better.
Dec 22 18 Agree.
12:20:17 pm
Dec 22 18 1 agree.
03:53:52 pm
Dec 22 18 Too much material. Could be condensed slightly. Too many pie charts; completely useless when
04:24:15 pm more than 2 "slices."
Dec 22 18 Yes it is easier to understand
09:59:44 pm
Dec 22 18 seems not complete
11:56:15 pm
Dec 23 18 It's clear and easy to understand. I just disagree with the direction.
07:52:11 am
Dec 23 18 agree
10:14:18 am
Dec 23 18 Agree
02:23:16 pm
Dec 24 18 Not sure
12:32:06 pm
Dec 27 18 easy to understand, you want more money for the same level of service
09:38:57 am
Dec 27 18 For a simple 2 page report, I do like the information that is highlighted. I would like it expanded
06:58:39 pm slightly to maybe 3 pages to go a little deeper and to include a little blurb about each area
(rather than just the 4 highlighted on the first page currently).
Dec 29 18 Very basic.
03:41:21 pm
Dec 29 18 The details about the budget are only shown through Laserfiche? 218 pages? I have to ask each
09:07:20 pm slide to show in portrait so I can read it? Any chance we can move to a .pdf posted to the City
Website? I see we are spending $683,000,000 on Enterprises, which include infrastructure.
That's a very big number not to break down. (unless I didn't get to the end of the slides)... Are
projects broken down into A, B, and C cost estimates, each year, and updated? FYI class D
should also be included per Canadian engineering standards.
Jan 02 19 The budget highlights were very easy to understand, but a full accounting of the budget is
11:35:08 am much harder.
Jan 03 19 It's easy to understand but does not break down some elements to actually reflect what that
11:09:02 am spending would entail (ie improve online citizen experience, etc.)
Jan 06 19 Clear?M I do not think the average person gets the full picture. You like to whitewash your
11:24:06 am true intention. But you won't fool me, all it is basically, you want more money. And you want
from me.
If the financial situation is that dire, fire half your administration staff. That should free some
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
millions. Maybe stop handing out tax rebates to companies and developers. That would also
add money in the account. Maybe start charging companies a proper tax rate?
Or just maybe, make the people with money pay for all your wishes (you are one of them). The
average population is broken and does not have money to pay for your luxuries anymore. The
party is over. You should start to realize this and adjust now. The longer you wait, the more
painful it will get.
I do not see the current path you are proposing as a solution for the large problem. It only
delays the actual decisions needed.
And I do NOT mean privatization. This screws everyone up except for the politicians who
initiate it as they most likely get rewarded by the company buying the business.
Jan 06 19 Wasn't able to find it...
11:26:23 am
Jan 06 19 No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19 There is too much assumed knowledge in the reports. Many citizens don't understand all of the
08:21:17 pm acronyms, or references to "other sources " of income. Give clear reasons for what a
"knowledge technology assistant" is? where is the job description for the average person to
understand? What is a forestry technologist? or is it just a fancy name for someone who
prunes/cuts trees?
Jan 07 19 There wasn't any summary information provided with this survey?
04:45:56 pm
Jan 07 19 1 liked the video and resources available
04:50:33 pm
Jan 07 19 See earlier comment on wastewater increase - although I might have missed something along
07:52:46 pm the way.
Jan 07 19 1 have not read the summary information so can not comment on this.
08:13:39 pm
Jan 07 19 "The 2019 proposed rate changes and impact to the average homeowner are calculated on a
08:42:17 pm medium-sized single detached home valued at $309,000. The proposed rate changes are as
follows:"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME, WHAT MEDIUM SIZED HOUSE THAT IS SINGLE DETACHED CAN YOU BUY
IN KITCHENER FOR 309k$? PLEASE LET ME KNOW I WILL BUY 10 of them! I stopped reading the
summary since this was a big fat laughing joke to make it look like our taxes not going up that
much "per household" ... who are you guys presenting this to? High school kids?
Jan 07 19 Where is it?
10:29:48 pm
Jan 08 19 It is easy enough to understand but the average person does not have time to carefully read
02:40:36 am 145 pages of budget information especially when much of it could have been shortened.
Jan 08 19 Would like to give a neutral answer
11:19:35 am
Jan 08 19 there is nothing about the information the city releases that is clear and easy!
03:50:42 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 09 19 The information is clear but it is hard to find more detailed information. The PDF of the
11:02:06 am Committee Meetings was difficult to navigate and I gave up before I was able to dig more into
some of the issues I was interested in.
Jan 09 19 Don't "invest more". Utilize and optimize what is currently available and aim to reduced cost
02:47:46 pm and expenditures.
Jan 10 19 Nobody ever reads the budget
06:41:46 pm
Jan 12 19 simple find an excuse to increase taxes.... work out the cost and presto...... cost of living
11:53:07 pm
Jan 13 19 1 cannot find the summary information
08:13:33 pm
Jan 14 19 The summary is a little too simple, and the categories a little too broad to get a good idea of
11:24:28 am what is covered.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q7 I Which strategic priority identified in the 2019 Budget is of the greatest importance to you?
90(36.1%)
17(6.8%)
t3 p.z7b)
Question options
(Click items to hide)
! Road Safety & Cycling 0 Environmental Sustainability • Improving Customer Service
ID Maintaining & Investing in Infrastructure 0 These priorities are not important to me
'6.5%)
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Q8 Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about the proposed budget?
Dec 2118 Keep up the good work!
01:24:50 pm
Dec 2118 Seniors/Retirees:
01:56:42 pm Extremely high fees currently at Community Centres
Dec 2118 We're making a million dollars surplus on parking. Why not lower parking rates, you're a
02:39:49 pm government not a business.
Either step up and actually address issues, or get out of the way.
Dec 2118 1 don't understand the priority to rehabilitate the square outside of City Hall - THAT seems like
02:59:00 pm a great waste of my tax dollars. I think that money would be better put to things people use
more - like road repairs or more green space and emphasis on the environment, nature and
how building huge buildings will continue to impact bird migration and bird life. Just saying...
Dec 2118 really need to address the Police budget not near enough to cover what is needed for saftey
03:08:20 pm
Dec 2118 The consistent year over year increases in water need to be offset by decreases in service levels
03:09:56 pm elsewhere because the hit to the monthly utility bill is just too much
Dec 2118 We should increase transportation to move inter -city which will increase road safety, more
03:58:37 pm affordability, etc. Like, we need both way transportation very frequently in morning and
afternoon in Kitchener, Guelph, Toronto, etc.
Dec 2118 Water bill is way to high, and paying 13 or so dollars a month for run off water is crazy we buy
04:05:14 pm the water then we pay to have it go down thee drain like our retirement money. Why cant you
just price water as per cubic liter with all costs in one price ?? the way it is now is misleading
actual cost is much greater than you lead people to believe. 11
Dec 2118 Just be fair and no slush funds please.
05:34:08 pm
Dec 2118 1 really appreciate the reasonable budget being committed to cycling infrastructure and piloting
06:03:46 pm new methods to increase safety on the roads.
Dec 2118 Tech has put this city on everyone's radar, so let's have a progressive and advanced city that
06:52:25 pm matches it. Smart city. We build it here...
Dec 2118 Safer streets. By design, by upgrading cycling infrastructure and better enforcement of laws.
10:30:53 pm
Dec 2118 stop wasting money on frivulous things.
10:35:55 pm
Dec 22 18 We don't require any new police hires beyond replacing those who are retiring. Both fire and
08:25:39 am police services should be contract and tendered, their unions are not bargaining with the times
and are self serving. Retention pay needs to be removed, if they don't want to stay, they
should leave. There will be plenty applicants willing to do these jobs at a fraction of the current
salary.
Dec 22 18 Do not raise the water billsH They are already too high, too costly for average home owners,
08:41:50 am especially seniors on pensions. Sewer rates are extreme already!! Please do not raise the rates
anymore!!
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Dec 22 18 Thank you for this opportunity to give feedback. I love this town because of things like this.
09:00:40 am
Dec 22 18 A 6% increase in water fees is a real kick in the teeth. And its basically because of
09:58:30 am mismanagement for 20 years prior.
Dec 22 18 Consider making all road projects (new and reconstruction) with narrow lane widths (narrowing
04:24:15 pm lanes width by 10-30cm), removing unused capacity (e.g. Homer -Watson from Hoffman to
Stirling, all of Belmont Ave, Avon PI does not need to be 15m wide), or building to the intended
use (cycling lanes do not need to be built to the same standards as a motor vehicle lane to
handle 1000s kilograms of weight so build them separate from the road to a lower standard to
save on costs). This will save money in both operating and capital costs (less asphalt to
pave/concrete to pour, less surface area to plow/sweep, less area to maintain, etc.) and it will
make the roads safer (people drive slower in narrower lanes).
Dec 22 18 Don't want to see a increase. I'm a pensioner & my pension didn't increase but decreased due
09:59:44 pm to my wife's death. Also government allowed Sears to decrease my pension by 40%.How about
helping me
Dec 27 18 stop spending money on ridiculous bike lanes that are hardly used (ex. westheights) took a four
09:38:57 am lane road down to two, and in the two years of having this bike lane i have seen 2 maybe three
people use them. We need better city planners, i could list a dozen things in this city that we
have wasted a ton of money on because of poor planning, things like widening ira needles,
closing bud park, only to spend millions on a new park. The city of Kitchener is terrible at
planning for future growth!
Dec 27 18 Examine underfunding of arts, culture, and sports organizations - fund them at the level where
04:54:01 pm original, creative, fun things can be made here.
Dec 27 18 1 do think the highlighted priorities are great areas of focus. I see many of them as
06:58:39 pm opportunities to move forward as a city in a progressive way that supports all citizens.
Dec 29 18 This online survey is a great improvement to no input. However, it leaves very little room to
09:07:20 pm comment on actual issues. And, the issues I have won't be public. The City needs to do better.
Public consultation is essential (e.g. in Public at a Council Meeting). There is way too little
information to comment upon.
Jan 02 19 All those priorities are important....
11:35:08 am
But especially winter sidewalk snow removal.
Jan 02 19 All of the above are important,but the ivory tower syndrome is back at cityhall
06:16:34 pm
Jan 03 19 Developers should pay very hefty fees to support and enhance infrastructure and services.
12:54:27 am
Jan 03 19 Please don't spend money on road safety and cycling. Consider infrastructure replacement.
08:48:47 am Roads have never been safer. People need to take the initiative. Education on distracted driving
should be pursued at Regional level. City focus on roads and infrastructure.
Jan 03 19 Please hire and allocate resources to accurately reflect our diverse communities
11:09:02 am
Jan 03 19 Why the City is not focusing to improve the services at the Region of Waterloo International
11:19:06 am Airport (YKF). More companies there will bring more money to their budget, and also more
taxes to the city. There are lots of companies at this time in the region of KW that can benefit
of new routes.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 03 19 Very excited about the proposed protected bike lane infrastructure!
12:30:08 pm
Jan 03 19 From my understanding we are paying more into our utilities repair so we can play catch up for
12:45:56 pm years of neglect. I would hope once things get caught up we would see a decrease or an
evening out of the increases of utility rates in the future
Thanks
Jan 03 19 Since so much of the City's budget goes towards road reconstruction, I think we should look
12:58:39 pm into innovative ways to repair roads (concrete rather than asphalt, etc.). Please continue to do
surveys like this! I appreciate being able to provide my input.
Jan 03 19 There's been a sign up about improving trails (near Erinbrook and Dunedin) for a long time and
04:10:46 pm nothing has happened
Jan 04 19 If the water rates go up more and more I almost pay more for water than for electricity and
10:01:00 am heating. This is not acceptable. The rates will never go down even if all the infrastrucure will
be finished. 50 years ago the city knew that we have to renew or replace the water
infrastructure at one point Why did the city not lay back money from year to year to tackle
this expense? Now every citizen has to pay much more in order to get that project financed.
Just not fair.
Jan 04 19 Elderly and very low income people maybe should be allowed to discount in taxes in extreme
11:07:53 am situations .
Jan 04 19 The full budget is difficult to read. Would be helpful if there was a clickable index and if half the
02:50:41 pm pages didn't need to be rotated.
Jan 05 19 Not specific to this budget but ongoing decisions there would be value in having a council
09:45:24 am member with financial credentials sit on the Finance Committee. I know we used to then
replaced him with someone that has no financial background.
Jan 06 19 Make the whole thing public. Put all spending from the last 20 years on the internet with
11:24:06 am details and statistics. I know you have this data. Let the public know where you spend every
single cent. This will be the only way to restore trust into your administration. Currently we
only see the corruption and backdoor dealings. We are sick of this and we definitely do no want
to pay for this.
Jan 06 19 If we in the City of Kitchener are to be concerned about the environment -- why haven't my
11:27:36 am streets been plowed after snowfalls? Instead a truck (with a plow) comes down the street and
dumps a ton of salt on the road.
I thought we were supposed to cut down on salt use?
Jan 06 19
Thank you for investing in cycling infrastructure
12:03:48 pm
Jan 06 19
NO SAFE INJECTION SITES
12:30:32 pm
Jan 06 19
No to Safe Consumption Site.
02:41:49 pm
Jan 06 19
Too many immigrants in Kitchener,
03:55:29 pm
Jan 06 19
Maintenance is also important (only one option could be selected)
04:34:18 pm
Jan 06 19
Wage roll backs for firefighters and purposal to merge regional fire depts
04:59:19 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 06 19 1 don't understand why the sanitary rates are increasing by 8%? Has there been many more
08:21:17 pm sanitary pipe breaks in the past year? if so how many? Why do we have such a high Gas
Delivery reserve? $4 M is a lot and the gas rate payers should see a reduction in the rates. Since
mortgage rates have gone up and with the price of oil so low, I don't believe we will see the
Consumer price index staying above 2% . Does this mean that the City will be taking in extra
money and where will that money be used?
Jan 06 19 Staff numbers should NOT be increased. Utilize those we have more wisely.
09:04:36 pm
Jan 06 19 Individuals should be reminded that they have to take responsibility for their own lives and well
09:17:50 pm being and their own property and look out for their neighbors. I like the snow a gel program
you had because it encourages us to still participate in our community rather than expect the
city to do everything for us individuals. I wonder if a matching funding program for capital
investments could be possible. For example, to improve a park or I restructure, perhaps, one
put out a city matched fu ding program for a grant where the city matches the citizen-
fundraised dollars.
Jan 06 19 It's difficult to choose just one priority. I'd rank road & cycling safety, environmental
10:30:56 pm sustainability, and infrastructure improvement about the safe—for one thing, they're
interconnected.
Jan 06 19 No, Thank you!
11:14:26 pm
Jan 07 19 It is always disappointing to see the Fire budget so big. I realize the need for such a
01:30:13 pm department, but there is always a better way to offer the service. It does not need so many
staff at so many bases 24hrs/day. I would urge the city to look at tiered response agreements
because the vast amount of medical calls they attend provide no value. I would also urge the
city to consider a composite type of staffing level. I realize the province has finally made
changes to the way Fire departments negotiate their contracts and have amended the direction
arbitrators are to go. But the continual over inflated wage and benefit increases need to end.
Jan 07 19 Hire more students
02:13:27 pm
Jan 07 19 Stop "Investing More". Utilize and optimize the funds currently available; as well as, decrease
04:40:57 pm current funding available.
Jan 07 19 Happy to see bike infrastructure in there!
05:01:39 pm
Jan 07 19 Nope, thanks for asking!
05:25:58 pm
Jan 07 19 To god damn high it should be pared down
05:26:23 pm
Jan 07 19 1 appreciate seeing increased funding towards cycling infrastructure, including IHT iprovements
06:31:21 pm and proposed connected streets.
Jan 07 19 Please consider budgeting for sidewalk clearing, it is an AODA/accessibility issue.
06:59:34 pm
Jan 07 19 No.
07:24:53 pm
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 07 19 Please embed sustainability in every aspect of the budget - for example, Road reconstruction is
07:29:19 pm the largest budget item and is a large opportunity to impact sustainable transport as well as
reducing vehicle speeds to decrease mortality and injury rates.
Jan 07 19 No.
07:33:21 pm
Jan 07 19 To say there is no global warming is just anun truth
07:57:30 pm
Jan 07 19 1 can not express strongly enough that I feel our city lacks in providing equal access to quality of
08:13:39 pm life for all our citizens. Having accessible washrooms, that is washrooms with adult-sized
change tables and lifts, is paramount to beginning the work that is necessary to include
everyone.
Jan 07 19 Definitely would like to see a "salaries/benefits" portion in each department that is shown in
08:42:17 pm the summary
Jan 07 19 Stop wasting so much money, there's no need for year over year increases for all eternity. How
10:29:48 pm about improving people's lives in Kitchener by saving them some money?
Also stop the war against the car ... guess how many people I see use bike lanes on a daily basis?
One or two. Guess how many people I see driving? Thousands. Focus the money on making
driving better because that's what people are doing. Same with traffic calming, there is no
need, parents need to watch their kids and keep them off the street. If you want to make roads
safer in neighborhoods, reduce street parking which makes it harder to see and squeezes traffic
together. Do not reduce residential limits to 40km/h, enforcing that is a money grab as there is
nothing unsafe about an attentive driver doing 50km/h. Invest in policing to focus solely on
distracted driving (and NOT speed, which is just a cop out because it's easy to enforce an
arbitrary number against an otherwise safe driver).
Jan 07 19 Converting vehicles to biodiesel is not infrastructure. Pay down the city's debts, that is the way
10:52:49 pm to future prosperity.
Jan 07 19 Tell Councillor Gozzola to read the recent IPCC report or the US Department of Commerce
11:04:07 pm report on climate change to understand that it's a priority.
Jan 08 19 Yes, change #7 to a ranked question. Add "input" like your others.
07:44:29 am
Jan 08 19 While I feel infrastructure is the most important priority, I feel that it should always be done
08:40:36 am with consideration of the environment, and any road re-design should always consider
improving cycling infrastructure.
Jan 08 19 Don't feel my opinion would change anything but could downtown be cleaned up?
10:26:09 am
Jan 08 19 Additional segregated bicycle lane funding is critical.
02:07:01 pm
Jan 08 19 STOP WASTING OUR MONEY, FREEZE ALL WAGES, AND CUT 10% FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS!
03:50:42 pm
Jan 08 19 More help is also needed for mental health services. People are dying from suicide etc and
04:57:57 pm increasing each year, yet services are not enough!
Jan 08 19 1 am super happy with the budget of $529,000 for the environment and $1million for cycling
07:00:18 pm infrastructure! Much of these two go hand in hand and gives our community the strong
message that their municipal government truly cares about our quality of life! Great leadership,
thank you! 1
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 08 19 Keep up the building neighbourhood initiatives.
08:37:49 pm
Jan 09 19 This talk of extra money being taken from tax payors for "environmental nice to haves" is not
11:03:42 am needed, and seems like a good way to skim money for special interest projects.
Jan 09 19 Don't "invest more". Utilize and optimize what is currently available and aim to reduced cost
02:47:46 pm and expenditures.
Jan 10 19 Initiatives to improve citizen health should be a priority
12:02:37 pm
Jan 10 19 Remove all traffic calming. Remove all roundabouts. Remove the LRT. Stop city growth. No tall
12:37:45 pm buildings or high density housing. Respect and protect our heritage. Stop destroying this city.
Jan 10 19 1 think an increase of 10.00 (approx) a month is very reasonable. I think the headline in The
03:23:46 pm Record was inflammatory and should have been worded more positively.
Jan 10 19 1 think an increase of 10.00 a month (approx) is very reasonable. The headline in The Record
03:26:47 pm was inflammatory and could have been worded in a more positive way.
Jan 10 19 Thee should be a discussion on the matters to be included in the budget before the budget is
04:39:27 pm made by the staff .
Jan 10 19 Investing in biodeisel vehicles is a tremendous waste of time and money - we should be
06:41:46 pm investing ONLY in electric vehicles. The city should install free charging stations throughout the
city - powered by solar panels.
There should be greater incentives for residents to reduce water and electricity use. The city
should eliminate ALL fees associated with the installation of solar panels and the city should
put pressure on KWHydro to do the same.
The city should be investing in better cycling infrastructure. This will save us SIGNIFICANT
money in the long run as there will be fewer cars on the road if adequate infrastructure is put
in place - separated bike lanes are a mustH 1
Jan 12 19 The proposed Queen, Belmont, and Water protected cycling infrastructure projects look like a
02:29:50 pm great first step in building a coherent cycling network.
Jan 12 19 We should spend more on new sports facilities.
09:13:39 pm
Jan 13 19 Taxes Taxes and more taxes.... more it hard for seniors to hang onto their homes... Going to
03:53:14 am have a senior homeless crisis in the near future,,.
Jan 13 19
04:11:53 pm
Jan 14 19 1 think it's important to include in all transportation projects (especially road reconstruction)
11:24:28 am some thought about how that project affects or could improve transit, walking, and cycling
facilities. Road reconstruction is a huge part of the city's budget, but improving or speeding up
car traffic should not be the only consideration when building or rebuilding a road.
Jan 14 19 1 am delighted to see the increased and targeted spending on road safety and cycling
12:00:33 pm infrastructure. I am a little concerned with the spending on the "Dutch" roundabout. Given
how much catchup is needed on cycling infrastructure, is this the best use of the funds at this
time? If it does go ahead, please make sure that all the lessons of the Dutch experience are
employed: exit angles are made more acute to slow the traffic leaving the circle and often the
crossings are raised to ensure traffic slows. Without these measures, the roundabout
experiment could fail and be perceived as a waste of money and set us back on support for
cycling infrastructure.
CITY OF KITCHENER
2019 BUDGET ISSUE PAPER
Jan 14 19 Think about those who have little!
12:50:57 pm
Jan 14 19 Let's make this the best place to live in Canada. We have a relatively empty canvas that we can
02:46:34 pm shape into a world-class city. The time is now!
Jan 14 19 Maintaining water and sewage costs as reasonable as possible
08:15:06 pm
Jan 15 19 nope, keep up the good work.
09:32:01 am
Jan 15 19 The pilot "dutch style" roundabout by Huron Heights is a fantastic idea. We need an exemplar
10:14:41 am of a safe high -traffic intersection by a secondary school in Kitchener. Currently, the biggest
argument against roundabouts is the increased dangers by schools, and the lack of a safe and
legal way to navigate them by bicycle.
Jan 15 19 1 think that the City does an excellent job of snow clearing. In fact, probably too good. Reduce
11:53:28 am the service and save some money. I find the increases in utilities disturbing. Increases of 6.5%
mean that you have not been collecting enough money for the past 20 years. That is just bad
management!
Jan 15 19 Although environmental sustainability is my #1 priority, I am so happy that active
04:42:51 pm transportation is also there. I commute by bike year round because the environment is
important to me, so these improvements, especially winter bike lane clearance, make a huge
difference to my safety.
Jan 15 19 1 dont want my tax dollars going towards safe consumption sites. I know the region is looking
05:23:31 pm at it but I have read the City is considering financially supporting them
Jan 15 19 work harder and work smarter be more accountable for your actions and decisions
07:50:17 pm
Jan 15 19 Cut the fire department budget
08:03:50 pm
Jan 16 19 No thanks, it's time to go and find another well organized city..
09:53:53 am