Vancouver, Wash. – Development of the City's 2023-2024 biennial budget is under way. The budget serves as a plan for the City on how resources will be allocated to provide
services to the community. The budget process is also vital for transparency and provides financial accountability to Vancouver residents.
Shaping Budget Policy Priorities
This spring, the City Manager engaged with City Council on a series of budget topics, seeking their direction and learning their policy priorities to help inform the development of the
recommended budget that he’s required to submit to Council no later than October 1. The next step is engaging with the community to learn which of the policy priorities they value
most.
“I’m asking the community to share their thoughts to help shape our budget priorities,” City Manager Eric Holmes said. “I want to learn what matters most to the Vancouver
community when it comes to livability and services, as well as economic, social and environmental concerns.”
The policy priorities (in no particular order) for the 2023-24 budget are:
- Reduce Carbon Footprint
- Grow Economic Opportunity
- Improve Community Safety and Wellbeing
- Build and Maintain Exceptional Public Spaces and Places
- Improve Equity and Inclusion
Community members are being asked to use the interactive tool on Be Heard Vancouver by August 22, to share how they would rank the policy priorities. The City will use the
community input, along with other touchpoints, in developing the 2023-24 biennium budget.
The community is also invited to a virtual meeting via Zoom led by City Manager, Eric Holmes on Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting will cover the budget process and
include interactive opportunities for attendees to share their opinion on the budget priorities.
Learn more about the City’s current budget process and watch for future notice regarding opportunities to engage with the City about budget priorities in person.
Original source can be found here.