Public input into City of Powell River’s budgeting process was down in 2022.
At the January 26 finance committee meeting, Ryan Youngman, manager of financial services, said the balancing act budget survey was conducted from December 1 to 31, 2022.
“The goal of the survey was to obtain feedback from residents for use in the 2023 to 2027 budget decision-making process,” said Youngman. “The survey platform was developed by Engaged Public, which is a public policy consulting firm that focuses on engagement-driven strategies and public policy leadership development.
“Residents were provided with the 2023 operating budget from the 2022 to 2026 financial plan and they could shift budgets based on their individual priorities, provide feedback, and learn where their tax dollars were being spent.”
Youngman said the survey was marketed through social media, the city’s and the Peak website, and on the radio station. Paper copies were available at Powell River Public Library and Powell River Recreation Complex.
“The total number of submissions received was 88, which was down from 146 we received in the prior year,” said Youngman. “Due to a scaled-down marketing campaign, it focused more on digital marketing.
“I would have liked to have seen more surveys received, but it was more engagement than we received before the surveys. There were 649 visitors who spent an average time on the survey of seven minutes and 37 seconds. There were 36 comments submitted that provide valuable feedback.”
Of the respondents, 75 per cent were from Westview and 63 per cent were from the 30 to 49 age group.
“This is one tool in the budget-making process and there are some great comments and feedback,” said Youngman. “I hope you find it useful.”
Mayor Ron Woznow asked if consideration had been given to having a public forum where individuals could attend and staff members could help those in attendance step through the process.
“There are a lot of people older than 50 who are not comfortable going online and doing this,” said Woznow.
Youngman said before the pandemic, staff went to the community at the library and recreation complex and engaged people.
“Since COVID-19 happened, we haven’t gone out and done anything like that,” said Youngman. “We will definitely consider it in the future.”
Comments are interesting, says councillor
Councillor George Doubt said the consultation is important. He said his impression is that the number of people responding to the survey was smaller this year, and that would likely have something to do with the municipal election timing, and the fact that the survey started later would have had something to do with the lower numbers.
“Hopefully, next year, we can get more public engagement,” said Doubt. “I read through all the comments. The comments are all interesting. There’s generally comments on both sides of the issue and it’s good to see all that input and discussion. It’s useful information, but we’d all like to see maybe 10,000 people answering the survey.”
Councillor Jim Palm said in the past, forums were held where the public could come and chat with the mayor and council.
“We could explain the ins and outs of the budget and the taxation number that was coming forward,” said Palm. “In terms of COVID-19 being subdued and hopefully under control, I would really encourage council and staff to give some consideration to conducting something face-to-face this year when we get closer to finalizing the budget so the public feels fully engaged.”
Finance committee chair councillor Trina Isakson asked if staff would be open to exploring public engagement earlier on when assumptions are being set.
“It would be helpful for me to know some input from the public when we are setting out those assumptions,” said Isakson. “I’m wondering if you could speak about timing and public engagement.”
Youngman said he agreed that it would be better to do it earlier.
Doubt said he invited people to attend finance committee meetings to provide input and express opinions.
