Talktober 2019 involved public information sessions at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre as well as an online survey about budget priorities.
Overview
The City of Prince George held four public information sessions at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre in October 2019. City staff, the Mayor, and Council members were on-hand to respond to questions. Residents were also given a chance to express their views on budget priorities for various City services and functions through an online survey.
The information sessions included a presentation from the City Manager and a Q&A session moderated by the Mayor. Various displays were set up to provide information about the historic development of the City, its rapid growth in the decades after World War II, and the current state of infrastructure in Prince George
An online budget survey was also accessible through the month of October, providing an opportunity for respondents to indicate their preferred level of funding for various City functions and services.
Objectives
- To encourage meaningful public participation in the City’s budget.
- To keep residents informed and advance the community’s interests.
- To prioritize infrastructure reinvestment and renewal to ensure the delivery of critical recreation, emergency, transportation, and utility services.
- To understand taxpayer priorities to determine the upcoming budget.
Data Collection Methods
- Two days of information sessions with a total of four presentations.
- On-site information displays and interactive display boards.
- Budget survey that was available online and on-site at the info sessions.
Results
Public Engagement
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ENGAGEMENT PERIOD: Sept. 30, 2019 to Oct. 31, 2019
- The online budget survey ran from September 30 to October 31.
- In-person public engagement took place on October 1 and October 2 with presentations and moderated Q&A sessions.
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RESPONDENTS:
- 271 respondents completed the budget survey.
- 50 people attended the in-person sessions at the Civic Centre.