Consultation launch news release

Join the conversation to help shape the priorities for the City of Peterborough’s 2022 Budget by participating in the annual Budget Roadshow with a community survey and a series of drop-in meetings held online and by phone.

The survey is available online at connectptbo.ca/2022budget or paper copies can be picked up at City Hall, 500 George St. N. The survey is open from March 25 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is pivoting from the typical in-person, drop-in sessions to an online format with the option to call in by telephone. The meetings will include a brief presentation on the Budget process followed by an opportunity for residents to share their ideas for priorities for the 2022 Budget with Council members, City staff, and other residents.

Anyone attending a Budget Roadshow meeting online through their computer or mobile device will be able to use the virtual “raise hand” feature to indicate they would like to share a comment or simply type their comment in the text chat feature.

Anyone attending a Budget Roadshow session by phone who would like to share a comment during the meeting is asked to register in advance so that the moderator can invite them to speak when it’s their turn. To register, please call 705-742-7777 ext. 0 or complete the form at connectptbo.ca/2022budget. Registration is only required for participants who are calling in who want to share a comment. Registration isn't required to attend.

People sharing ideas on priorities for the 2022 Budget during the Budget Roadshow sessions will be asked to keep their comments to 2 minutes or less.

Input collected through the 2022 Budget Roadshow and survey will be outlined in a What We Heard report, considered as part of the development of the Draft 2022 Budget, and provided to City Council ahead of the review of the Draft 2022 Budget.

In addition to the Budget Roadshow, there are several public meetings throughout the annual budget process before Council considers approving the Budget in December 2021.

Budget Roadshow drop-in sessions

• Wednesday, March 31, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  1. Online: connectptbo.ca/2022Budget
  2. By phone: 1-833-651-1158, Conference ID: 941 222 309#
• Wednesday, April 7, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  1. Online: connectptbo.ca/2022Budget
  2. By phone: 1-833-651-1158, Conference ID: 974 058 98#
• Wednesday, April 21, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  1. Online: connectptbo.ca/2022Budget
  2. By phone: 1-833-651-1158, Conference ID: 845 092 862#

2022 Budget consultation key dates

• Budget survey launches – March 25, 2021
• Budget Roadshow meeting – March 31, 2021
• Budget Roadshow meeting – April 7, 2021
• Budget Roadshow meeting – April 21, 2021
• Budget survey closes – April 22, 2021
• Public meeting on Draft Budget Guideline – June 23, 2021
• Draft 2022 Budget released for public review – November 1, 2021
• Public meeting on Draft 2022 Budget – November 15, 2021
• Finance Committee budget deliberations – November 16, November 22-25, 2021
• City Council considers approving 2022 Budget – December 13, 2021

Quotes

“The City’s annual budget is where the rubber meets the road for making things happen. It outlines funding for programs, services and infrastructure that help define and shape our community moving forward. The Budget Roadshow is one way for residents and businesses to get involved in the budget process. Fill out the survey, share an idea at the Budget Roadshow meetings, or send your input through one of the many ways to connect with Council and City staff. We’re listening. This is our community’s Budget. We want it to reflect your priorities,” said Councillor Dean Pappas, Finance Committee Chair.

“Our community is faced with many priorities such as roads, housing, climate change, flood reduction, social services, economic development, and investments in quality of life. Hopefully we’ll be fully into recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic next year. Your input and ideas will help the City as it tries to balance the many community priorities as well as the legislated requirements for services and infrastructure,” said Councillor Keith Riel, Finance Committee Vice-Chair.