How are municipal officials planning on spending your tax dollars? Lac La Biche County councillors want the public to have access to the deliberations of the 2020 budget — but they don't want community members completely up-ending their financial planning so far.
With council planning to start next year's financial planning in the next two weeks, they are trying to find the best time to let the public in on those plans. The balance however, is to find a time for public involvement that isn't too early — or too late — in the process.
A date range selected by council was in late November. One of the days coincided with the popular Festival of Trees event held each year at the Bold Center.
"It could be a bonus as far as foot traffic," said councillor Darlene Beniuk.
Deputy Mayor Lorin Tkachuk said the financial open houses could use some help in garnering interest.
"For the last two years, the open houses have never really got a ton of attention," he said. "It might be a good time to get more people. We haven't had a lot of luck getting people to these open houses."
But opening up the process to the public more than a month after council has started its deliberations, and with just two weeks until the budget deadlines seems a little hollow, said one councillor.
"It feels a little insulting to me. We're telling them that we want their input on this budget ... when it's more than half way done," said Mission area councillor Jason Stedman.
But Tkachuk said bringing in public suggestions too early could complicate and extend the process.
"I think we need to narrow down the focus before we go to the public with it," said Tkachuk.
Other councillors agreed, saying that it was best for council to set the parameters of the budget issues and then let the public work within it. Inviting the public too early wouldn't be good planning, said councillor George L'Heureux.
"It's like going hunting grizzly bears without bullets," he said.
Collect ideas for the future
Other councillors said any new ideas that council or administration hadn't considered for the budget could be added to future financial plans, like the municipality's five year capital plan.
Councillor Colin Cote is looking forward to the community seeing the progress made on the budget planning.
"I see the value for long-range planning, " he said of the public viewing.
Council is also prepared to make changes to their budget planning if ideas from the public warrant it. Municipal administrator Dan Small said "if something comes up," that council would still have "a week or two" to add it to their budget plans before their deadline for completing the budget.
Council decided to host the open houses November 20 in Plamondon, and November 22 in Lac La Biche. Councillor Stedman was the only council member opposed to the decision.
More details about time and location will be made available closer to the date.
