The Town of Huntsville will start planning budgets two years at a time and gather input about budget priorities from residents through a survey.
Deputy Mayor Dan Armour said spreading projects over two years will help the municipality better understand budgetary pressures so they have less of an impact on the property tax. “Instead of hitting people with a big budget, we can look at a two-year budget so we can look forward to the future, where we’re going to be and what we’re going to need,” he explained.
Effective today, September 3, the municipality has also launched a community survey to gather input from residents on their priorities as they relate to the budget. According to a release issued by the municipality today, residents will have 28 days, until September 30, 2024, to provide feedback, which will be considered during the budget process.
“We want to better understand what is most important to Huntsville residents when it comes to how your tax dollars are allocated in the 2025-2026 Draft Budget,” said Julia McKenzie, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer for the Town of Huntsville. “Whether you are a year-round resident or own a cottage or other property in Huntsville, if you pay property taxes then we want to hear from you! This is your opportunity to tell us what your priorities are when it comes to the various municipal services funded by the Town’s portion of property taxes.”
Budget deliberations will begin during a two-day budget meeting on November 11 and 12, 2024. The draft budget will then be presented for further discussion at the General Committee.
“The final budget is expected to be passed by Council in January 2025. Proposals for new budget requests from the community have been received and the process is now closed; any approved recommendations for new community requests will be included in the draft budget for 2025-2026,” states the release.
You can find more information about the process and previous budgets here. Residents with questions or concerns can contact the Town’s Finance Department via email, here.
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The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I have completed this survey and encourage all other residents to do likewise. It’s important for Town staff and elected representatives to act in the best interests of the town and its residents and the survey provides an opportunity to truly zero in on what matters most to residents and what importantly residents are willing to pay for to maintain or improve upon.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I have done these surveys many times..this isn’t a new tact. Top of mind for anyone living in this town and surrounding areas is: affordable housing! We need the people that take care of us to have affordable places to live. Please finally work harder on that Council. I am survey fatigued and I’m not seeing results. P.S. We (townspeople) filled out the MAHC surveys and attended the meetings that were to inform the hospital mucky- mucks and look where that got us.