City of Kingston 2006 budget meetings - November/December 2005

[keoadmin]

The City of Kingston 2006 budgetting process is about to begin. The official notice of the schedule of meetings can be found below:


Corporation of the City of Kingston

OCTOBER 28, 2005

NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE CITY OF KINGSTON'S BUDGET MEETING SCHEDULE AND ITS INTENTION TO ADOPT THE 2006 MUNICIPAL CAPITAL & OPERATING BUDGETS

AND

PUBLIC MEETING TO PASS A BY-LAW ESTABLISHING THE WATER AND SEWER RATES FOR 2006

DETAILS

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to Section 291 of the Municipal Act 2001, the Council of the Corporation of the City of Kingston will be presenting by-laws to adopt the 2006 Capital & Operating Budgets on December 13, 2005.

The Proposed 2006 Capital & Operating Budget meetings schedule is as follows. The meetings begin at 5 p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers, City Hall (216 Ontario Street):

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Committee of the Whole Budget Review Meeting
Presentations - Overview and Departments

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Committee of the Whole Budget Review Meeting
Presentations - Utilities Kingston; and External Agencies

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Joint Council/Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting
Adoption of Recommendations presented on November 1, 2005. Budget By-laws receive first and second readings.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Joint Council/Committee of the Whole Meeting
Budget Approved By-Laws Receive Final Approval (Third Reading)

The proposed City Council meeting to adopt a 2006 Capital & Operating Budgets is scheduled for December 13, 2005.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to the Municipal Act 2001 - Ontario Regulation 244-02, that the Corporation of the City of Kingston intends to pass a by-law establishing the rates charged for water & sewer. This By-Law establishes the rates charged by Utilities Kingston for the treatments/distribution of water and the collection/treatment of sewage. Rates collected under this by-law are to fund operating expenses and capital expenditures associated with the water and sewer system. Copies of the proposed by-law and 2006 Rate Schedule are available at Utilities Kingston (1211 John Counter Blvd.) or by contacting Carol Belanger at (613) 546-1181, extension 2226. The proposed public meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2005.

Written submissions will be accepted at the address noted below, or individuals wishing to address Council regarding the above matters should request delegation status, by sending a letter to the attention of the City Clerk, at City of Kingston, 216 Ontario Street, Kingston Ontario, K7L 2Z3; 546-4291, extension 1247 or e-mail cdowns@cityofkingston.ca by noon on Thursday November 10, 2005.

Note: Personal information collected as a result of the public meeting is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act and will be used to assist in making a decision on this matter.

Carolyn Downs, City Clerk

[nstn]

It is fascinating to watch City Council these days. It dealt with the municipal operating and capital budgets in only two days in the middle of November. But to this day copies of these budgets are not generally available other than for brief background statements on the city's web site.

Many other municipalities across North America are making a real commitment to informing and encouraging local citizens to get involved in the budget process and decisions.

Since it is an election year, perhaps all candidates for office this November can commit to more inclusive budget process in the future.

[Lydia]

Excellent point about seeing the actual budget.

Where can you get a copy of the budget anyway and why does it appear in the local newspaper for ALL TAXPAYERS TO SEE.