THUNDER BAY - The city of Thunder Bay is reaching out to the community to provide feedback on the upcoming 2021 budget.
“The budget process is likely the most important task that City Council undertakes as it sets the course for the year ahead,” said Councillor Mark Bentz, chair of administrative services in a media release.
“The budget impacts all municipal programs and services and I encourage all citizens to take this opportunity to provide input which gives Council a valuable tool that assists us in creating the budget. Input from residents will be particularly important this year as Council attempts to deal with the significant financial impacts of COVID-19.”
The budget will be presented to city council in early January 2021 and councillors will receive citizen feedback in advance of their review of the budget.
Those interested in providing feedback can fill out the pre-budget survey on the city of Thunder Bay website. Physical surveys can be picked up at any branch of the Thunder Bay Public Library and will be available in The Source on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Completed surveys can be mailed to the city or dropped off at any Thunder Bay Public Library branch by Nov. 25.
“This year has been one like no other,” said Linda Evans, general manager – corporate services and long term care and city treasurer.
“While we received Federal-Provincial Safe Restart funding for 2020, which has helped with COVID-19 losses this year, we know that there will still be significant COVID-19 impacts on the budget year ahead. Each year City Council is faced with tough budget decisions and 2021 will be even more challenging due to the pandemic impacts.”
A virtual pre-budget town hall will also be hosted by Bentz and Evans along with city manager Norm Gale and representatives from various city departments.
The online event will air Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and can be view on Shaw TV Cable 10, Tbaytel TV Channel 110, or online at www.thunderbay.ca/Watch
Residents will be invited to submit advance questions for the pre-budget town hall starting Nov.9. Information will be available on the City’s website soon at: www.thunderbay.ca/getinvolved.
