City of Surrey is seeking community input in advance of the draft 2024 budget
The City of Surrey has kicked off its budget 2024 engagement process with an online survey and a webpage to inform the community about the City’s budget process.
Surrey, BC – The City of Surrey has kicked off its budget 2024 engagement process with an online survey and a webpage to inform the community about the City’s budget process. Feedback collected from the survey and upcoming open houses will be used to help inform and prepare a draft budget for review by the City’s Finance Committee prior to Council’s adoption of the budget.
“It is important that the public help shape how we balance our budget, ensuring that community priorities are reflected,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Input from our community is invaluable in planning for the new budget and I invite our residents and businesses to be part of our budget process.”
In preparing for the 2024 budget, Council must carefully consider new directions emerging out of city strategies and community priorities for funding city services, amenities and infrastructure. There are also a number of external factors such as inflation, increasing construction costs, and the effects of climate change that must be taken into account. The aim will be to keep property taxes and fees at a manageable level while also maintaining current service levels and addressing new funding priorities.
The open houses will include displays and staff on hand to inform the public of the budget process and important next steps. The survey will provide an opportunity for community members to share which city services are most important to them and which funding options they prefer to create a balanced budget.
The City is encouraging the public to attend any of the following open houses:
- Saturday, September 23 at City Centre pedestrian walking and parking area (between Central City Mall and Surrey Central SkyTrain Station and bus loop) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Sunday, September 24 at Guildford Recreation Centre from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 26 at Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, September 30 at Cloverdale Agriplex adjacent the Cloverdale Rec Centre from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Sunday, October 1 at South Surrey Recreation Centre from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Thursday, October 5 at 137 Street Newton Business District near 73A Ave from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Learn more about the budget process and take the online survey at surrey.ca/budget2024.