THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay is preparing for the 2021 budget year.
Thunder Bay City Council is seeking citizen input to help inform their decision-making.
“The budget process is likely the most important task that City Council undertakes as it sets the course for the year ahead,” says Councillor Mark Bentz, Chair of Administrative Services.
“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.”
City Council will receive all citizen feedback in advance of their review of the proposed 2021 budget prepared by the Administration and presented to City Council in early January.
“This year has been one like no other,” says Linda Evans, General Manager – Corporate Services and Long Term Care & 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.”
Residents are encouraged to share their feedback through a pre-budget survey. The survey can be found online at www.thunderbay.ca/GetInvolved, picked up from any branch of the Thunder Bay Public Library, and will be available in The Source on Thursday, Nov. 12. Completed surveys can be submitted online, mailed to the City, or dropped off to any branch of the library by Nov. 25.
Residents are also invited to tune in to a virtual pre-budget town hall with Councillor Mark Bentz, City Manager Norm Gale, and Linda Evans – General Manager Corporate Services & Long-Term Care & City Treasurer, along with representatives from City departments. The online event will air Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm and can be view on Shaw TV Cable 10, Tbaytel TV Channel 110, or online at www.thunderbay.ca/Watch
Residents are invited to submit advance questions for the pre-budget town hall by emailing OfficeoftheCityClerk@thunderbay.ca or calling 625-2230: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, or during the live event on Nov. 18, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Further input opportunities will be available to residents when the proposed 2021 budget is released in early January including opportunities for deputations to City Council.
