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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-07-011 - Results of 2007 Budget Consultation j Financial Services Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Mayor Carl Zehr and Members of Council February 5, 2007 Pauline Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & Treasurer Dan Chapman, Director of Financial Planning & Reporting (2347) Shelley Adams, Director of Corporate & Community Planning (2476) All January 29, 2007 FIN-07-011 Results of 2007 Budget Consultation RECOMMENDATION: For information EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: On December 18, 2006 Council approved an approach to consultation on the 2007 budget. This engagement exercise built on previous consultations which formed the basis of A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener, specifically the Environics Survey of Citizens (2005) and the Who Are You Kitchener? initiative (2006). Starting in December, 2006, the City reached out to over 60,000 households through Your Kitchener and the City's website with a Budget in Brief document, to raise awareness with respect to the 2007 budget and encourage individuals to provide feedback. In addition, the City held two public meetings, a meeting with Compass Kitchener, and staff attended the Kitchener Market to discuss the Budget in Brief with members of the public. Despite this multi-faceted approach to engagement, the response rate for this consultation was extremely low. In general, respondents supported all areas of proposed investment in the 2007 budget, with the clear priority being placed on Transportation Demand Management and Air Quality. This is consistent with the findings of the Environics and Who Are You Kitchener? processes, which also identified environmental protection as being a high priority for Kitchener residents. While residents did not generally support the use of the Municipal Price Index as a guideline for future tax rate increases, they did support a balanced approach to the use of assessment growth, including increased service levels and reduced taxation. This complements the findings of Who Are You Kitchener? which indicated that residents supported a balanced approach to the funding of new priorities through a combination of increased non-tax revenues, increased revenues and offsetting expenditure reductions. Much discussion at the public meetings focused on the 2006 one-time tax reduction, City surpluses, the Economic Development Investment Fund and the potential use of the Municipal Price Index as a financial planning guideline. While the Budget in Brief and public meetings were intended to increase the level of awareness with respect to these issues, it became clear that it is difficult to communicate these complex issues in the time and space allotted, and that the focus group approach is more conducive to open discussion leading to informed feedback. That being said, it is clear that there was concern amongst members of the public with an increase in the tax rate of 5.290/0 as outlined in the initial staff submission provided with the Budget in Brief. In terms of approaches to future consultations, respondents supported a mix of citizen engagement tools, with the highest value being attributed to the use of the Internet, and web- based surveys in particular. This is consistent with the City's experience in other recent consultations and in this engagement exercise, where half of all responses came through the Internet page, despite the fact that the survey was circulated in hardcopy to over 60,000 homes. Staff has identified a number of observations based on the City's experience in this consultation and has developed certain recommendations to inform the planning for future consultations. These recommendations focus on the use of a mixture of engagement methods with priority placed on Internet-based tools. In addition, staff recommends that consultations occur earlier in the budget process, ideally at the direction-setting stage, and that the City consider the use of an ongoing citizen survey, focus groups, and the City's Advisory Committees to assure a response that is representative of the Kitchener population. REPORT: Approach to Consultation In an effort to vary the public input mechanisms, the consultation consisted of a combination of public meetings as well as a structured education and feedback tool, the "Budget in Brief". The public meetings were held at the following dates and times: · City Hall Rotunda - Tuesday, January 9,2007,7-9 p.m. · KMAC Subscribers Lounge - Wednesday, January 17, 2007, 7-9 p.m. The meetings consisted of a staff overview followed by discussion of the Budget in Brief and other issues of concern to members of the public. Staff also attended the Market from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on January 13, 2007 to distribute copies of the budget workbook and engage citizens in dialogue about the City's budget consultation. In an effort to provide members of the public with a meaningful budget summary and feedback tool, a "Budget in Brief" document was prepared. This summary was distributed at the two public meetings and was made available at City facilities, through Your Kitchener and over the City's website. This document provided citizens with information about City finances, feedback received to date, and the priorities identified in A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener. In addition to some open questions, the workbook included a structured budget exercise to obtain an indication as to what mix of program changes is supported by members of the public. Level of Participation The following level of participation was experienced through the engagement exercise: 2 Com ass Kitchener Public Meetin #1 Public Meeting #2 Market Your Kitchener Website Total 7 20 30 76 n/a n/a 133 7 o 2 2 18 30 59 Public Meetinas circulated to 60,000 homes The minutes of the two public meetings are attached (Appendices C and D). In general, members of the public focused on the 2006 one-time tax reduction, City surpluses, the Economic Development Investment Fund and the potential use of the Municipal Price Index as a financial planning guideline during the public meetings. At the second public meeting, a resident spoke in favour of initiating a future consultation on the appropriate use of Federal Gas Tax funding, with an interest in seeing the funding applied to sustainable and environmentally- friendly infrastructure. Staff continues to pursue discussions with this individual. The presentation of the Budget in Brief to Compass Kitchener and informally at the Kitchener Market provided a further opportunity to engage citizens in two-way dialogue about the City's budget. These forums afforded staff and Council members with an effective opportunity to respond to questions and concerns and increase awareness of the City's budget, both in terms of process and context. Survey Results The survey included in the Budget in Brief was divided into two parts; a structured response section to gauge level of support for new investment in budget priorities, and open-ended questions about principles to guide the development of future financial plans. The following responses were received with respect to level of support for increased investment in priority areas: Arts and Culture 13 Urban Design and Land Use Studies 17 Heritage 18 Operations to Service Growth 9 Business and Economic Development 12 Leisure Facilities 14 Diversity Programs 11 Transportation Demand Mgmt/Air Quality 20 10 19 7 20 20 16 6 20 23 17 21 19 20 16 21 15 7 4 9 8 5 10 10 2 6 2 4 3 2 3 11 2 These results indicate general support for all proposed areas of increased investment, with the highest priority associated with Transportation Demand Management and Air Quality and the 3 lowest priority associated with Diversity Programs. The following chart depicts the score for each of the budget expansion areas:1 Level of Support for Increased Investment 60 50 40 30 20 10 o -10 - - "-- ~-g~c t ~ -.......-- 8.EE~ U) Q) 0>0 @o~ ~ -00 :J U) Q)~Q) OciS C ~ ::::J ~....J+-' .0-000 "-- C :J ~ ~ -~ Q) U) E E U) 0 c.. Q)C..Q C 0 Q) -- () > U) W Q) ~ 0 U)Q)..c. C () +-' _Q -~ S ~ Q) e mOOCJ c.. o U) ~ m ~ -~ 0 00: Despite the focus on property tax levels at the two public meetings and the general comments submitted in response to the Budget in Brief, on average survey respondents indicated support for increased investment in the areas proposed. These results corroborate the findings of the Environics survey of citizens and the Who Are You Kitchener? project, which identified the following priorities for the City of Kitchener: Protecting environment Ensuring best value for tax dollar Building/renewing infrastructure Improving transportation Promoting Kitchener to business Improving municipal services/amenities Improving infrastructure for new developments Improving local decision-making opportunities Improving calibre of City staff As indicated, protection of the environment is identified as the highest priority for new investment in both instances. 1 88 = 2 points, 8 = 1 point, N = 0 points, 0 = -1 point, 80 = -2 points 4 The City also asked residents whether they supported an approach that used the City's rate of inflation as the basis for setting annual property tax increases. Respondents generally indicated a preference to not adopt this approach. Use of MPI as Basis for Budget Increase Don't Know Yes 140/0 150/0 No 71 0/0 When asked how the City should use assessment growth revenues, in addition to funding growth-related expenses, respondents tended to support a balanced approach including selected service expansion as well as tax rate reduction. Use of Assessment Growth Don't Know 20/0 Expand Services 1 00/0 Expand Services and Reduce Property Tax Rate 440/0 Reduce Property Tax Rate 440/0 This response is consistent with the current allocation of assessment growth revenue proposed for 2007, with approximately 300/0 being used to fund discretionary operating adds and the remainder to fund growth-related items, legislated changes and general tax rate reduction. This complements the findings of Who Are You Kitchener? which indicated that residents supported the funding of new priorities through a balanced combination of increased non-tax revenues, increased revenues and offsetting expenditure reductions. When asked about opportunities for service enhancement, citizens provided a wide range of responses. In general, they were focused in areas such as road and sidewalk maintenance and the environment (including parks, trails, bike lanes, environmental protection, etc.). These 5 priorities are consistent with the spending priorities identified through the Environics survey of citizens in 2005. Refer to Appendix A for additional detail. When asked about opportunities for service reductions, citizens also provided a variety of responses. Refer to Appendix A for additional detail. Staff recommends that this information be referred to the Internal Auditor for consideration, along with the results of the Environics survey, as the 2007 program review work plan is developed and brought forward to Council for approval in the next few weeks. In addition, it may be desirable to utilize focus groups to better understand the priorities identified in order to target specific services for reduction. When asked about opportunities for increases in fees, a number of respondents indicated that fees should be increased, while many others suggested that fees should not be increased. Where there was support for an increase in fees, it was primarily focused in the area of recreation programs. This feedback supports the need for a user fee review as contemplated in the Community Services Department capital forecast (currently in 2012). Refer to Appendix A for additional detail. When asked about opportunities for improved efficiency, many of the respondents focused their comments in the area of operations, including winter control, grass cutting and leaf pickup. Refer to Appendix A for additional detail. Similar to service reduction information, staff recommends that feedback related to opportunities for improved efficiency be referred to the Internal Auditor for consideration as the 2007 program review work plan is developed and brought forward to Council for approval. Citizens provided the following responses when asked about what consultation approaches are preferred: Web-based surveys Public meetin s Paper surveys Meetin s with communit An e-mail address Web-based workbooks Web a es Pa er workbooks Citizen advisor committees Focus rou s A tele hone line Telephone surveys Other 40 37 37 31 25 24 23 22 20 19 17 13 6 In addition to this information, individuals also provided general comments in response to question 5 of the Budget in Brief. This information is summarized in Appendix B. Observations and Implications for Future Consultations Based on the City's experience through the 2007 budget consultation, the following observations have been made and should be taken into account when planning future citizen 6 engagement processes related to City finances and for Compass Kitchener as it drafts a citizen engagement template for consideration by Council in 2007: Use of Internet - Consistent with the City's experience in other recent consultations, the Internet provided an effective vehicle for disseminating information and obtaining feedback through this consultation. It should be noted that, despite the fact a hardcopy questionnaire was provided to 60,000 households, over half of the responses came to the City through the website. In addition, 630/0 of respondents indicated support for the use of the internet as a vehicle for future consultations. Recommendation #1 - Consider approaches to expand the use of the Internet as a tool for community engagement, building awareness and receiving feedback on City finances in future consultations. Representative Response - The mix of participants in the public meetings were not representative of the diversity of the Kitchener population. Recommendation #2 - Consider the use of an ongoing, statistically significant citizen survey, perhaps in the final year of the Council term, to inform strategic and financial planning for the new term of Council. This would assure a representative response and would provide trend-line information to inform the ongoing budget process. Recommendation #3 - Consider the use of representative focus groups to provide additional insight into unclear issues arising out of the survey results or budget "knots" requiring awareness building and discussion through two-way dialogue. Recommendation #4 - Consider engaging the City's Advisory Committees in future financial consultations, perhaps at one of the semi-annual all-Committee meetings. As evidenced through the discussion of the Budget in Brief with Compass Kitchener, this type of setting provides an opportunity to increase awareness of the complex issues associated with City finances, leading to informed dialogue and feedback. Level of Participation - Despite the widespread distribution of the Budget in Brief and advertisement of the public meetings, the survey response and meeting attendance levels were low. Recommendation #5 - That the City employ a variety of citizen input mechanisms to ensure that citizens may be engaged in a way that best suits their individual preferences. As a starting point, the 2007 budget process identified the following five methods as most preferred by respondents: 1. Web-based surveys 2. Public meetings 3. Paper surveys 4. Meetings with community groups 5. E-mail Timing of Consultation - Research has shown that the most effective consultation occurs early in the process, at the direction-setting phase. Due to timing constraints associated 7 primarily with the election, the 2007 budget consultation has occurred between the priority- setting and decision-making phases. Recommendation #6 - Advance the timing of substantive citizen engagement to the direction-setting phase of the planning process. To this end, it would be appropriate to investigate ways to improve the integration of financial planning with the City's strategic planning processes. CONLUSION: The 2007 operating budget consultation, despite some challenges, has increased citizen awareness of City finances, provided feedback to inform Council's consideration of the budget, and has increased and City administration's understanding of approaches to effective consultation on financial matters. This recommendations arising from this experience will be instrumental in guiding future consultation on City finances. ATTACHMENTS: · Appendix A - Responses to Budget in Brief - Citizen Priorities · Appendix B - Responses to Budget in Brief - General Comments · Appendix C - Minutes of Public Meeting - January 9,2007 · Appendix D - Minutes of Public Meeting - January 17, 2007 Pauline Houston, C.A. General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer Dan Chapman, C.A. Director of Financial Planning & Reporting Shelley Adams Director of Community & Corporate Planning 8 Appendix A Responses to Budget in Brief Question 3 - Citizen Priorities Opportunities for Service Enhancement 1 - Preservation of our built heritage. It is the only meaningful, tangible link we have to past, to present, and to future. It give us the sense of rootedness, provides intergenerationallinks, opportunity for telling our story, demonstrates the fact that we care and value that of the past enough to give our built heritage extended life. - Public spaces, parks, community trails, part of caring for our environment, encouraging healthy exercise, getting people out of cars onto their feet or bicycle. An important aspect of healthy community and welcomed by all generations. 2 Your 1961 - 2002 stats are way outdated, thus it is impossible to offer any reasonable offering of opinions on this question - you should at least be looking at 2005-2005 stats to be meaningful - for or against. 3 Lets concentrate on doing the things we do more efficiently 4 Bus Recycle Green Bins for Composte 5 By combining similar services with Waterloo where feasible for savings involving scale/volume. 6 No fee increases to required citizen services!!! Have Developers pay ALL costs for servicing their developments. The developers are the profit makers there is no need or reason for the general populace to have to foot the bill to allow them to maximize income on their investment. The home or office or building owners will foot the bill regardless and we have far less means and time to restore city coffers on our investment. If the town of Georgina can do it so can we here in Kitchener. 7 - Bike Lanes - Walking & Cyling Trails, connected throughout the city. 8 firefighting public participation in planning 9 public transit and libraries 10 more collaboration with existing regional groups to assist in assimilating immigrants such as WRIEN. The city should not try this on it's own. We need a big picture effort in this area and a regional basis seems logical.Secondly we need to do more in culture generally. 11 Recycling/environment protection Arenas/rinks/sports facilities for youth 12 Pave the roads. Help the poor. 13 Community centres, we linve int he doon area of kitchener and there is abolutley nothing here 14 Roads and sidewalks in established neighbourhoods are suffering Auditorium- outward appearance is blah and drab 15 Improve By-law accountability-rewrite so that the laws can be successfully procecuted Enforce By- laws 16 Kitchener Fire Dept Sewer and Water Service 17 Transportation Ambulance Services 18 Public Transit Seniors Services 19 Walking and Bike trails Downtown planning 20 Community programs Diversity inclusion programs 21 Increased su pport for Arts & Cu Itu r & other not for profits 22 Prioritize community engagement 23 Don't duplicate services that the region is already handling.Do not give tax credit in one hand and then take back in the other. 24 Public transit Look of new neighbourhoods 25 more parks more community centres 26 Public transit must increase frequency & rail service reestablished to Cambridge & more frequent trains to T.O. 27 Kitchener garbage collection has go to be the best in the world. May this Continue! 28 Put an ambulance at every fire station 29 Why are community centres closed over the holiday periods - xmas,easter. Why isn't there special programming for these periods 30 Transit Play grounds for younger children Under 5 years 31 1. fix the roads, add bike lanes 2. more e-services 32 1. improved road maintenance... i.e. Heiman St. Out of town guests never fail to mention the poor condition of our roads 2. grass cutting... reduced use of herbicides does not mean letting fields grow wild. More regular cutting of parks and city lands in the spring would reduce use of pesticides by homeowners trying to compensate for the effects of city neglect and spreading weeds. 33 1.Senior Services 2.lmproved roadways 34 This should only be suggested when there is a "significant" demand from Kitchener residents 35 Property Standards Road and Sidewalk Maintenance 36 Parks and recreation, social services Opportunities for Service Reductions 2 - Avoid significant subsidizing of high end sports activities when most of those involved can easily afford fee increases. This could permit a service increase, or fee reduction to sports activities for a larger portion of the more youthful population that is lacking facilities or can't afford the current user fee rates. This would lead to more participation, less problem with youth crime and vandalism, help nurture those with potential who now may be barred from participating because the cannot afford the fees. Rsponse as per above, and further I found the diagram on page 7 useless to respond in any meanin ful wa Lets think carefull about service extentions or enhancements Cleanin the cit Recycling program (may be regional) - pick up every other week. Why? There should be no reduction in services. Instead the city like all the rest of us must tighten our belts and live frugally. Kitchener must do more with less the same as almost every voter in this city. arkin downtown lannin roads Less money going to new services. Get what we have right and try to save whereever possible. Introduce a culture of savin . Public Works ma have waste and a stud should be undertaken. Residential buildin ermits Leash-free zones Golf courses. Downtown lannin . Libraries, include them in new hi h schools and et rid of the stand alone ones none - in a rowin cit how can a res onsible cit ov't consider service reductions? Reduce Economic Development Department - totally usless bunch of staff Parking Enforcement Grass Cutting Signage Amal amation of additional services across the re ion Golf Courses Downtown Plannin Parkin Gara es - let businesses rovide Diversit Pro rams Leaf collection no services should be reduced Tree & Brush mana ement on Cit ri ht of wa De artments at Cit Hall could s end less 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 sidewalk maintenance, look of new buildings, signage, indoor ice rinks, support for associations & sports groups, preservation heritage buildings 25 Council Members or Regional Government 26 1.no snow - cut stuff or clean up parks & forests 2.Less Building - reduce inspectors 27 Zero based budgeting should be applied each year to ensure no programs continue when they are no longer needed. 28 Close 1/2 of the Fire Stations, these guys sit around weeks on end with nothing to do. 29 Parking in the Downtown Centres and new facilites should be only considered if private sectors what to develope them 30 Centre Block Business centre 31 1. support for some sports organizations (boxing is dangerous and violent) 2. golf course. Why do we own them? This should be left to the private sector. 32 1. The new market... Kitchener's farmers' market is no longer a true farmer's market. Compare the crowds at the Waterloo markets to any Saturday at Kitchener's market. If this is to survive as a commercial enterprise, it must be able to do so on its own. If it can't do so, then perhaps there is a better use for the building. Turn it into a library if you must. 2. Downtown renewal...leave this to the private sector. Kitchener has six wards. The downtown ward is taking up too much of our city's resources and adding disproportionately to city debt. 33 1.Review of policies re: Heritage properties re:sensible preservation approaches. 2.Realistic and efficient support of associations/sports groups. 34 this is the responsibility of the functional managers & the elected oficials 35 Leaf Collection The Market Opportunities for Increases in Fees 1 - Higher cost sports activities that relate to a smaller portion of the population could afford an increase in user fees. 2 The diagram on page 7 you refer to mentions NOTHING about fee structures, so my response is not likely what you are looking for - so I say leave them as they are 3 false alarms for home/business in alarm system 4 Charge for excess Garbage 5 Developers fees should increase to the point where basic services are completely self funded. 6 business licensing registering programs 7 parking and roads 8 Increase the charge to downtown business owners for clearing the sidewalks. 9 Have the universities pay property taxes for their newly located campuses Use of school gymnasiums after hours 10 Water. Garbage collection. 11 big trucks using the 401 should pay a toll even 5cents a kilometre - all money going to fix up highway & environmental programs 12 difficult for retired serior to answer 13 Fee should reflect actual costs incurred 14 do not impede access 15 Look of new niebourhoods (builder fees) Building Permits 16 Community Centres 17 Golf 18 Sliding Scale 19 Community Centre/Services programs Building Permits 20 Galleries/theatres Registration of programs 21 no fees should increase 22 I know this is regional but collect garbage fees for households with mor than 2 bags - encourages more recycling 23 Users of facilities should pay for them. 24 City programs at arenas, pools, etc 25 None, except penalties for littering 26 1. Golf courses should pay taxes 2. Theatre and Symphony should not get tax money 27 Poor & Homeless 28 Charge an annual fee for people that expand their driveways 29 Teams using outdoor facilities should be responsible for the light operations and should be charged for them. 30 Parking fines parking lot fees 31 not su re of the fees 32 1 and 2. If we quit wasting so much city money trying to force life into the downtown, we will not need to increase fees. 33 1.Tougher parking enforcement policies. 2.User-pay fees for community centres. 34 why? 35 Market Vendors Auditorium Opportunities for Improved Efficiencv: 1 Same repsonse as above, except, as a citizen of the city I will always expect the city officials to act(on our behalf) in an efficientand exacting manner, keeping in mind that not all rate payers are in such a lucrative environment as you folk who designed this brief. 2 contracting out of work to avoid inefficiency of city work crews 3 you currently have someone painting the edges of raised sidewalks - yet you send a crew into an area - who then only do a few aras. Rather than spend to paint-do nothing-purchase a machine to grind down those smaller areas that don't require concrete repair or injection 4 More roads leading into kw from 401 5 Clean up downtown bumps 6 Political integrity and frankness would be good. Building true confidence and trust in our politicians would be good. Not using deceptive tactics would be good. Doing what you say you?re going to do would be good. Paying Attention and listening to the voters would be good. Not shaming constituents (as in causing one to regret) would be good. Responding affirmatively to public forum results the City asks for would be good. Responding affirmatively on the advice of Advisory Committees would be good. Giving us the opportunity not to be suspicious of our elected representatives would really be a good thing. Note #1 : If there was more trust and faith in our politicians ther emight not be any questions regarding these items. Note #2: Staff are trusted far more than our politicians even though staff must do the bidding of Council. What happened to public input on Centre Block? 7 winter maintenance around schools city planning 8 For cul-de-sac streets with a centre island, the city could offer an incentive for residents to cut the grass such as installing a nice bench if they maintain it for the summer. This would cut down on the city's staff costs for mowing. 9 Spending by City Councillors Pay attention to lower level staff & the public for ideas 10 Do not almagamate unless there is proven efficiency increase. In the long run there will be one city here not three and a bunch of little ones. But go slow so not to spend money needlessly. 11 Grand River transit go transit to toronto, remvoe even 10 vehicles a day off the 401 the environment will love it. 12 public transit 13 Leaf pick-up with a dump truck & front end loader is just silly 14 Kitchener Fire Dept Sewer and Water Services 15 use financial consultants 16 Street lighting traffic control 17 Transportation Promotion of city 18 Downtown Planning 19 Snowplowing - cui de sacs, salting & sanding Kitchener Market 20 Departments do not need budget increases for the sake of the budget. They should save in their own departments. Asking for an increased budget amount such as a 100/0 increase when 30/0 is needed is not necessary or should be happening. 21 Use sand on roads instead of salt Street lighting 22 inproved efficiency usually leads to fewer employees (Workers)and larger work loads 23 Management to go out on job sites check on jobs from the Mayor down & talk to employees 24 Make voting on-line possible-much more effective & may result in increased "turn out" 25 All city operations 26 Could some of the able bodied on welfare be put on the City payroll (i.e. hired) to clean up litter? Would the Charter of Rights permit this? 27 Get rid of committee of adjustment requirement for petty minior technicalities like everything under 1 foot deviation. Instead just have citizens pay a small fine i.e the $200 or so that they pay now for committee of adjusments variation application 28 1. To much Government, if people di their jobs we would not need so many of them sitting in their offices. 29 Keep city vehicles from personal use 30 Some of city dept such as Kitchener Wilmot Hydro. Is it necessary for hydro crews to all return to their respective yards for lunch and breaks. They can often be seen just ditting in their trucks waiting for quiting time. There should be better supervision 31 1.Stop salting my crescent (road) every time there is a little dusting of snow. 2.Garbage collection should at alternate houses - even days, stop at even addresses and odd days stop at odd # houses. 32 Lighting at outdoor facilities should only be on when the field is in use Someone should take final responsibility for seeing all otudoor facilities are properly closed for the season and/or opened for seasonal use 33 Sell the Golf courses N/A 34 1. tranfer the fire department to the region 2. transfer the library to the region 3. ask your staff. they probably know best 35 Leave private developement to the private sector and artistic expansion to the arts community. The city's role should be to provide those services which are essential or which would not be provided by the private sector. 36 1.Review of manpower requirements throughout operations to reduce inefficient inputs/costs. 2.Contracting out some services vs.use of city-employed personnel. 37 This is the responsibility of functional managers. If it isn't part of their job it should be. 38 Enforce turning off city vehicles when parked Parking Enforcement By-Law Enforcement Appendix B Responses to Budget in Brief Question 5 - General Comments 1 Revenue surpluses largely generated from our rapid growth of the assessment base, where city staff may be cautiously underestimating the projected surplus, should be put towards the development fund in the following budget year. Sustaining growth and the related infrastructure costs is not something we cannot afford to invest in. Therefore these surpluses should be invested or reinvested to sustain the development fund. The public should be educated to see this as a wise move that sustains healthy growth, which in turn leads to inflationary or less than inflationary tax increases (CPI that the general public experiences not the notion of a municipal CPI)which should be seen as reasonable and justifiable. This would not give the impression of being over taxed but that of responsible stewardship. These surpluses should be already in hand, in the bank, and then applied in the subsequent year. I would like the city to establish such a polity. 2 Educate city employees to conserve, water, electricity, fuel (so much money is wasted when trucks are idling for no reason, & it pollutes the air.) It is extremely annoying seeing city cars & trucks idling with nobody in them or with the employee out of the car nearby. The same goes for buses, but that's a regional problem I will address with the Region. Also, public buildings with lights on with nobody in the room. Have unused computers turned off at night & over the weekend. You've heard this many times before, I'm sure. 3 Found this exercise rather wanting L. Bowman 4 After attending two "failed Budget in Brief meetings" I am offended that you did not provide an extension to respond to this brief, that I find inexcusable. The Brief which you put to-gether was lacking in a great many details, including the supplementary data provided Jan/17/07 (why did'nt you include page #'s to relate to the brief), it was both embarrasing and bordering on insulting. And that cartoon explanation of the "2006 Tax rebate" was outrages, we were not at a kindergarten class, this was serious business - and I for one expected better. Some of you appeared to be less than well informed on what the audience was or may have been seeking - so I found the whole process weak and ill prepared. You really need to go back to the drawing board, - but the April 16th Final Budget Day is not far off - you will have to do a better job by then than you have thus far. The Councillors suggestion that the public will have further opportunity for input is pure nonsense by the time you have anyhting concrete ready for debate it will be to late for any public in put OR participation. You have all the facts (we do not) and there seems to be a reluctance by the Budget team to share these facts with us, YET you expect us to endorse your brief - well guess again. Put something forward that we can look at and comment on for or against. What you have provided up to now is empty and wanting. Further I am opposed to using a different rate of inflation than tne CPI, we all live in the sane world so why should the City have a different set of infaltion rules to work with than I do in my own house hold. Secondly, you all (the Budget Team) seem to have forgotten that Wateloo Region - Kitchener included) is drifting rapidly toward an economic downturn, we simply may have to delay some of the "wish list" until signs of recovery are more evident. Thats how I see it in any event. Finaly, I would like a hard copy (or eamil)of this response, as I'm unsure if I hit "send" that I 5 The city should not be involved in social housing which should be left to the Region. ps: it is much more cost efficient to pay a housing allowance then to build public housing 6 PM 2 What is the point of this meeting as no politician a the city council listens. This questionaire is useless. FP - Question 1 Can't trust the city Question 2 Can't see any future growth as kitchener has reached its boundries on all 4 sides. 7 Comments on Question 1 in FP it is an automatic rip off of the taxpayer 8 For many-poor voter turnout or meeting attendance is due to our feeling City Hall will forge ahead on their agenda regardless i.e tax credit reversal recent "Green" push by Mr Zehr poor researched "Central Library"-fortunatley dormant for the moment- thanks (the usual tax payer response If you really want to be "Green" - get busy on City trail system-forget the monuments in Victoria Park entrance. I definately support trees/woodlands, etc. but not having staff "create" a 3mm-5mm fund- be more aggressive on trails etc. and vote each year. Arts and Culture- in the$993m Capital amount Based inflation - Expenses always rise to meet budgets. Careful review of budget lines may result in a lower than inflation figure Reversal of one-time credit - N.B- Don't you dare implement this! FP Question 1 Comment No absolutely not! Dept managers shoud be using zero based budgeting on those lines where possible, including contracting out Question 2 comment City staff and politcians should realize any family unit including the city-may have wishes that remain beyond them Question 4 comments Public Meetings - Poorly attended Meeting with communtiy groups such as Neighbourhood Associations - Poor Turnouts 9 Market 2 FP Question 1 comments Sometines like using Natural GAs on city bus and utility behicals will help to bring down inflation Question 2 comments The citys bus times has to coincide with the work force. we have companies running 24hrs but the bus service does not meet the timing. The better the transportation and cheaper more usage. Think MacDonalds more cheap burgers more people eating it. Other comments: The help the environment: More bird feeding forests/parks naturaal gas for buses more compost programs recycle grey box and green bins, limit garbage bags to 3 only, more bags..pay up recycle for apartments cut down on city cleanup people put more bins all over to help keep city clean get kids in the program More information for new immigrants on facilities in city, help line for immigrants to settle in city make bus-fare cheaper so more people use it. Don't follow Toronto, think UK More VIA rail to TO or Go bus to East citys More bus lines to operate more competition better service. 10 It would be beneficial to see $$ by ward so we can see where the money is spent visually (you could exclude City Hall from the downtown ward). Would cause people to open their eyes and see if the money being spent is fair and just. 11 The nature of this questionnaire leaves one feeling that the end result "will happen' whether or not the citizens want it to. This is the following question - you?re going to get hit! What weapon do you want me to use, a two by four or a baseball bat. There is also no commitment to follow through, in anyway, on any of the suggestions put forward by the public. I suggest a much larger commitment to Arts, Culture and Heritage. These three items are the base requirements and wants of the people and companies that require, crave and covet in the communities that are their target destinations. To attract Business and highly skilled employees for those companies we must fulfill the social necessities of well educated people. Arts, Culture and Heritage hunger is a common, must have, need of these groups. Limiting input to two suggestions on any individual issue limits constituents thoughts and creates a need to prioritize suggestions rather than generating multiple proposals that can be evaluated for the best bang for the cities buck. 12 Keep in mind not everyone received an increase in salary or pension for 2007. Be fair and reasonable to the citizens of Kitchener 13 Instead of giving rebates in surplus of revenue dig into your pocket and reduce or payoff hydro to reduce our cost. It's your responsibility too, you purchased it use your profits don't take from the poor, old or infirm. 14 Please put increased money into the environment, both reducing our strain on it and improving what we already have. For example, less cars on the roads, more public transit, more trees, less pesticide use, etc. 15 Stop spending money to buy property in the downtown & then when you cannot develop it yourself, give it away for next to nothing. It is taxpayers money, not City Council's. Listen to people who are most affected by proposals, plans, budget - the public. Consultants don't have the answers, people do - especially hiring consultants who don't live in this Region who have no knowledge of the dynamics of the area. Prime example is the Kitchener Market design, plans & new proposals. Poor design (no escalators, poor parking access, wasteful space) and grandiose plans when it opened all thanks to a joint public/private partnership. We could have done better ourselves, just by listening to the people of Kitchener. It would have also cost less! If we have a surplus, why should there be any tax increase? Share costs of Kitchener facilities that are used by all the Region - namely Centre in the Square, The Aud, pools, etc. Why should Kitchener taxpayers have to foot the bill for these, including the deficits of these facilities, when they are used by everyone in the Region? 16 No phone surveys. 17 I realize the area is booming but most people who live in kitchener have the same wage with very little increase in the last few years lots of people are moving to the area bu if the city not careful the economic gap between the poor & wealthy will really widen that does not make a healthy city. Keep spending & increases in check or there will be problems. 18 I would like to see city gov't react with more restraint when it comes to spending taxpayers money. A 5.30/0 is not considered a "modest increase" (to quote Mayor Zehre) by many or should I say most taxpayers in the City of Kitchener. More fore-thought has to be given to retired seniors, especially those who are trying desparatly to hold onto their homes. 19 Pie Chart Comment - Not exactly working, is it? need more people (not on social assistance)living in the downtown - then the business will come back. Promotion of City - we are already high growth and a magnet for expecially immigrants- cut down on this expense. Property Standards - more enforcement required, individual homeowner/businessess/players are ghettoing entire neighbourhoods, improve maintenance level Leaf Collection - discontinue on street leaf collection by city staff - homeowners need to take more responsibility for their leaves Public Library - More branches, not a bigger main. Diversity - Integrate in Canada's Heritage - Totally worng approach, is noone seeing the problems world wide, with this approach? Development - Promote infilling and redevelopment of Brownfields Base Inflation 3.300/0 - targetted zero based budget approach may decrease the percentage Legislated Changes and Compliance - Not needed, absorb this ($206,000) Assessment Growth - Estimate perhaps to low based on past experience Reversal of one time credit - One time only FP Comments Question 1 - with conditions, less 1 % for padding budgets, less a realistic estimate of assessment growth. Question 2 - then justify all expanded service requirments - not automatic service level enhancements 20 Growth Related Environmental Progress - SS 21 Please continue to guard our quality of life and how much you spend on it. 22 Growth Related Environmental programs- SS Adaptive Reuse - SS 23 FP Question 1 Comments Council Lower flexibility in response to changing community needs and desires Concerned that Arts & Culture operational increase is so miniscule given community seeing it as priority. One-time capital expenditure good but it will be seen as add that is needed in long-term. Future surveys should have info re current budget to creat context for each category & opportunity to indicate if there should be greater increase as opposed to the one proposed 24 Growth Related Environmental Programs - This should be a higher priority FP Question 1 Comments - As a guide with an understanding that increased need for addtioanl expenditures would increase the amount further 25 New growth should pay for itself(Assessment growth) yet our taxes go up every year despite new growth. If growth can't pay for itself, then it should stop. We own a natural gas utility yet our taxes are not considerably lower than other municipalities. Where are the revenues going? Despite big profits, our taxes still keep going up and you say you need more! 26 I don't believe a 5.20/0 percent increase in the budget is called. And certainly not taking back the 1.6 tax credit from last year. As we all have to learn to work within our means so does the city. Money has already been saved from 2006 because there has been no snow plowing neeeded this winter, so all the overtime monies should be forwarded to the 2007 budget. No maintenance on trucks and plows as they haven't been out. There are savings out there and maybe cut backs in councillors monies may be needed. Staff should learn to be more fruggle. 27 We need more wards and councillors, this would affect the budget. Community Assets - S - Curling Rink 28 It is very hard to have people comment or have them tell you what they think or even contact them. Good Luck Community Assets - S Growth Related Environmental Programs - 0 Adaptive Reuse - N Grownfield Development - S Open Spaces - N Assessment Growth - (comment) reduce the tax rate 29 It looks reasonable and sustainable, given the growth rate of this City. Question -where are emergency funds held in case of a major health pandemic or other catastrophy & how would city officials fund those oerations if neccessary? I appreciate having the chance to hear & read about what is being planned, this is a great community to live in. FP Question 2 Comments The firest 4 items under Quality of Life are in need of constant maintenance and growth for a healthy city. 30 FP Question 1 comments Pension increases based on CPI. Pensioners & Low income familites cannot afford this approach. 31 When we moved to Kitchener from the Town of Caledon in the Region of Peel, our taxes took a huge jump for a property tht was assessed for less. Kitchener needs to find a way to reduce taxes NOW! Spending is out of control. FP Question 1 comments It would only ba na excuse to make even larger tax increases. 32 FP Question 1 comments Municipal taxes increase fast enough. Question 2 comments The tax reductions that we get from the Federal level are gobbled up at the municipal level 33 FP Question 1 comments Parly because I imagine that the largest expense is salaries of City staff & I believe that the salaries of all seniro staff are already too high Question 2 comments Definatley not the first item the City is already "offering" to many programs 34 To many people in upper income are not paying their fair share. Subsidizing programs that only they can afford to use, is not fair. Seniors are struggling tomake ends meet and then you wan to raise property taxes to extreme levels. Your dreaming, come down to the real world, people are losing jobs and you just keep putting taxes up. 35 Free bus passes for seniors during non rush hour. Everyday i see buses going by empty They started it in the South of England in March 2006 it has been so successful that they are thinking about extending it to further distances. Kitchener should have a recreation centre like the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex 36 FP Question 2 Comments If there are funds collected beyond with is required to service new growth. Taxes are to high. Base Inflation - 3.300/0 to high 37 Stop wasteing my tax dollars 0 the Farmers Market, have the back bone to admit a BIG mistake.. FP Question 1 Comments Sounds like more trickery and dishonesty in dealing with the public Question 2 Comments Its a lie, growth cost everyone more. 38 Why can't I invest in my community through the purchase of City of Kitchener - municipal bonds? Would limit need to go the private market for financing. Leisure Facilities - Why - S Growth Related Environmental Programs - S Adaptive Reuse - S Brownfield Development - S Open Spaces - SS 39 Make sure you only collect what you need. Reserve funds are a necessity but over-taxing residents/businesses is stealing. It is time we start having balanced budgets with a projected 1-20/0 surplus maximum. Community Assets - S Heritage - (Comment)City of Kitchener simply tears down our heritage Growth Related Environmental Programs - SO Adaptive Reuse - Are these City owned buildings? If not, I strongly oppose subsidizing other land owners. Brownfield Development - SS Open Spaces - SS Reveral of one-time Credit - $1 ,289,000 Strongly Oppose How can you take back a credit when you have surplus funds? Economic Development Investment Fund - $975,000 - Why do we need to subsidize industry. Develop the land, sell it to them and off they go. 40 Kitchener should sell the public Gold Courses, they only sevice a small portion of the community. The money should on public transit or social programs. 41 in the "Your Kitchener" publication, there is an opportunity to comment about if the city should use the "City's rate of inflation". in this on-line form, there is no place for comment. I think that using the CPI is not right because it assumes that the status quo is the way to go. while i think that its great that you are asking the public for input, i think it would be more beneficial to ask how much people are willing to pay for what level of service. next year, you could ask "would you be willing to reduce you tax by XO/o if that meant a service level reduction of y" or "would you be willing to pay xO/o more for a y-Ievel increase in services" thanks for the chance to comment. 42 Regarding the city's consideration of tying tax increases to a municipal price index... Please remember that any tax increase comes from the pocket of tax payers and must consider their ability to pay. When I asked my boss if any increase I might receive, if any this year, could be tied to the municipal price index so that I could afford to pay this proposed tax hike, he said "NO". The city must learn to live within its means(see Economic Development Investment Fund). My own home is in need of many repairs and upgrades, yet I am not able to simply request an increase in salary so that I can set money aside for these. The city must begin viewing its actions from the perspective of its ratepayers, most of whom do not have limitless resources. Tax growth cannot outpace income growth. As well, offering a tax freeze prior to an election, and then trying to claw it back the next year, is not an acceptable way to plan a city's finances. 43 It is hoped that the budgetary process will,in fact, be moulded by the the results of the several surveys conducted in the past few years. The taxpayers are demanding more efficient use of their taxes and expect that City management will listen. 44 I didn't uderstand several proposals. When I didn't undestand them, I voted for "strongly disagree" The only way I knew there was a vote on the proposed used of the "municipal Index" for the next budget was a news article in the news paper. There has been no advertisement by the city. When I went to the library, the ladie there did not know where there was any form for input to the process. VERY POOR COMMUNiCATIONS....... 45 While it is understandable that the younger demographic would like new and continuously improved services Council must balance these needs/wants with the reality that the older demographicis the largest group and its revenue in the form of investments,pensions and part-time employment has been severly reduced in the last 12 months and more pointly in the last 3 months. A large increase in the tax rate is not sustainable at this time.Additions to Reserves at a time when the property owner can ill afford it are not a wise choice.1 would like to see the Additions to Reserve Accounts take a hoiday until the necessary areas catch up. 46 I do NOT want taxes cut. We, as citizens, need to pay for services. Councillors - be brave. Do NOT give into the tax cutters and reducers.