‘Participatory’ component asks Pickering residents how they would spend $300,000 of taxpayer money
Published October 24, 2024 at 11:15 am
How would you spend $300,000 of taxpayers’ money to improve your community?
The City of Pickering is preparing its 2025 budget and has a participatory component that needs the public to decide how to use it.
Residents can review a list of projects and select their preferred choice for enhancing the quality of life in their community. The exercise, declared a statement from the city, “creates new opportunities for dialogue between residents, elected officials, and the municipal administration, empowering citizens to make a direct impact in their neighbourhood.”
Each of the three wards in the city would have a budget of $100,000 and the project that receives the most votes from the community will be included in the Mayor’s 2025 Budget and implemented in each ward, at locations determined by staff.
Project Options:
- Dog park enhancements (each ward currently has an existing dog park)
- Outdoor fitness equipment
- Shade structure with outdoor gathering space
- Urban street furniture
- I’d prefer not to invest in any of these projects – don’t do anything
The voting period begins October 24 and runs to November 15.
Residents are also invited to tune in for a virtual presentation and Q&A on the senior staff recommended Draft 2025 Capital Budget highlights and leave their questions on the comments thread or email their questions in advance to [email protected].
The presentation will be Thursday, November 7 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Facebook.com/CityofPickering or YouTube.com/@CityPickering.
The senior staff recommended Draft 2025 Capital Budget & 2026-2029 Forecast will be posted to the city website Friday, with an opportunity for public feedback, and the Mayor’s proposed Draft 2025 capital and current budget and 2026-2034 capital forecast will be posted to the website November 29.
Residents can visit Let’sTalkPickering.ca/Budget for more details. All feedback closes November 15.
