Residents will have several avenues in the coming weeks to provide feedback on Ottawa’s draft 2020 budget. City Councillors have organized a series of multi-ward sessions where residents can share budget comments and provide input on priorities and potential savings.
The session for Stittsville and Kanata residents will be jointly held with Councillors Glen Gower, Allan Hubley and Jenna Sudds on October 30th. From 5:30 – 9:00 pm you can attend the public information session at the Kanata Recreation Complex, Hall B, at 100 Charlie Rogers Place. You can also provide your budget input online through Engage Ottawa.
Through property taxes, grants, subsidies and user fees, the City provides over 100 residential services in a wide array of areas – snowplowing, recreation centres, garbage services, park maintenance, to name a few.
Three factors influence the amount of property taxes you pay, only one of which the City has control over:
- Property tax rate – set by City Council every year when it approves the budget;
- Assessed value of property – determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation; and the
- Education rate – set by Province.
It’s your city and your budget, so Council wants to hear from you! Your feedback helps to identify the City’s budget priorities and contributes to decisions about investments in services that you want and need.
You can find out more on understanding Ottawa’s budget, by accessing resource materials and background information here or watch the video below.
Being informed will assist you in contributing to the session and/or providing feedback online to identify areas where City investments should be prioritized and are needed. Your feedback will play a part when City staff create the draft budget.
The draft 2020 budget will be tabled at City Council on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.