DIDSBURY - Mayor Rhonda Hunter is encouraging Didsbury residents who haven’t already done so to take the latest online budget survey on the municipality’s website.
Asking for input on town services and financial priorities, the survey is gathering information to be considered during 2025 budget deliberations.
“It is always important to receive the input of residents and business owners on the allocation of budget dollars and the service levels expected with those dollars,” Hunter told the Albertan.
“The survey is a great way for people to provide their input and have their voices heard. Council encourages everyone to fill out the survey and have your voice and thoughts recorded into the information that will be presented to council.”
The survey began on Sept. 3 and closes on Sept. 27, with the information gathered then being compiled for council consideration.
The survey asks, in part, for input on levels of service for roads and infrastructure maintenance, recreation and parks, and protective and emergency service.
The town maintains 73 kilometres of roadway and a corresponding pedestrian connectivity system. Respondents are asked to rate the importance of snow removal on roadways and on sidewalks and pathways, street sweeping, and road maintenance.
Respondents are also asked whether tax strategies in support of road and infrastructure maintenance should be changed and/or modified.
Respondents are asked to rate Didsbury’s finance priorities, including contributions to reserve, saving for long term, decreasing taxes and increasing taxes.
Respondents are asked to rate the importance of Town of Didsbury services such as recreation, parks, roads and infrastructure, culture, protective and emergency services.
Regarding protective and emergency services, respondents are asked to rate the importance of policing (RCMP), community peace officers, fire and rescue, emergency preparedness and management.
Respondents are also asked input on tax strategies for support of protective and emergency service.
Past budget surveys have helped council direct funding to, for example, roads and playgrounds, mayor Hunter noted.
“Council does respond to the (survey) input through thoughtful consideration wen deliberating the budget. Residents and ratepayers and business owners be sure to take the survey," she said.
The complete survey is available on the town’s website at didsbury.ca.
