PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release

October 31, 2018

Open mic opportunity Nov. 5 for residents to provide comments to City Council regarding draft operating budget

An open mic session is scheduled at the Nov. 5 Finance Committee meeting where Lethbridge residents will have the opportunity to provide comments or make brief presentations to City Council members regarding the draft 2019-2022 Operating Budget.

The session is scheduled from 4-5 p.m. at City Hall on the main floor in Council Chambers, and residents will have up to five minutes each at the microphone to comment on City services and the draft budget. Written submissions are also encouraged and can be submitted in advance by emailing cityclerk@lethbridge.ca or delivering them to the Office of the City Clerk at City Hall, second floor, 910-4 Avenue South. Submissions will also be accepted during the meeting. All submissions will be shared with members of City Council.

All members of the public are welcome, and live streaming of this Finance Committee meeting will be available at www.lethbridge.ca.

The City’s operating budget is determined by the municipal services that are provided, and City Council members will meet as Finance Committee Nov. 19-24 to set an operating budget for the next four years. Information on the draft operating budget as well as the current and previous City of Lethbridge operating budgets is available at www.lethbridge.ca/budget.

Media Contact:
Aleta Neufeld, City Clerk
City of Lethbridge
403-320-4083
aleta.neufeld@lethbridge.ca

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release

October 16, 2018

Residents invited to open house to provide feedback on City services

Lethbridge residents are invited to an open house on Oct. 23 to provide feedback to City Council members on their priorities for City services.

The City’s operating budget is determined by the municipal services that are provided, and in late November, City Council members will meet as Finance Committee to set an operating budget for the next four years.

Open House on City Services & the Draft Operating Budget
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 4-7 p.m.
City Hall, Main Foyer, 910-4 Avenue South

Other upcoming opportunities to learn more or provide feedback:

· Static displays will also be available for viewing from Oct. 23-26 at City Hall in the main foyer and at ATB Centre in the main-floor foyer.

· Residents still have until Oct. 23 to use the online Budget Allocator to explore how their priorities for municipal services would affect City spending. Budget Allocator is available by visiting www.GetInvolvedLethbridge.ca and selecting the Operating Budget button. An education tool intended to enhance residents’ understanding of what goes into the City’s operating budget, Budget Allocator allows users to make selections that would increase, decrease or maintain existing spending levels in 10 service categories and then see how the overall budget would be affected. Users can also leave comments regarding their selections.

· At the Nov. 5 Finance Committee meeting, an open mic session will be scheduled from 4-5 pm to provide residents with up to 5 minutes each with the opportunity to provide feedback or ask questions regarding City services and the draft operating budget.

Information on the current and previous City of Lethbridge operating budgets is available at www.lethbridge.ca/budget.

Media Contact:Gerald Gauthier, Communications Consultant
City of Lethbridge
403-320-3080
gerald.gauthier@lethbridge.ca

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release

October 1, 2018

An online Budget Allocator is being launched today that allows Lethbridge residents to explore how their priorities for municipal services would affect City spending.

The City’s operating budget is determined by the municipal services that are provided, and this fall, City Council will set a new four-year operating budget. Budget Allocator is the latest of several opportunities before then for residents to examine existing City services and provide feedback on how they compare with their own priorities. It is an education and awareness tool intended to enhance residents’ understanding of what goes into the City’s operating budget.

Budget Allocator will be available until Oct. 23 by visiting www.GetInvolvedLethbridge.ca and selecting the Operating Budget button. It allows users to make selections that would increase, decrease or maintain existing spending levels in 10 service categories and then see how the overall budget would be affected. Users can also leave comments regarding their selections.

Information on the current and previous City of Lethbridge operating budgets is available at www.lethbridge.ca/budget.

Media Contact:Gerald Gauthier, Communications Consultant
City of Lethbridge
403-320-3080
gerald.gauthier@lethbridge.ca

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

For Immediate Release

September 10, 2018

Lethbridge residents invited to interactive sessions on City services

If you ran the City of Lethbridge, what would your priorities be for City services? Here’s your chance to find out how your service priorities would affect City spending.

This fall, City Council will set a new four-year operating budget, and now is the time for Lethbridge residents to let us know what they think.

The City’s operating budget is determined by the municipal services that are provided. Lethbridge residents are invited to examine these services in interactive group settings and tell us how they compare with their own priorities.

Sessions will be held on the dates listed below. Residents are asked to RSVP by Friday, Sept. 14 to: Karen.Carney@lethbridge.ca to confirm the date and time of the session they wish to attend.

Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the ENMAX Centre Lounge - 2510 Scenic Drive South

· 9-11 a.m.

· 1:30-3:30 p.m.

· 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 26 at Casa – 230 8 Street South

· 9-11 a.m.

· 1:30-3:30 p.m.

· 5-7 p.m.

Residents are also invited to complete a brief online questionnaire about City services at www.GetInvolvedLethbridge.ca.

Media Contact:
Gerald Gauthier, Communications Consultant
City of Lethbridge
403-320-3080
gerald.gauthier@lethbridge.ca