{"id":36781,"date":"2023-09-12T16:24:18","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T19:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/?p=36781"},"modified":"2023-09-12T16:24:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T19:24:23","slug":"residents-asked-to-weigh-in-on-tantramars-2024-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chmafm.com\/welcome\/residents-asked-to-weigh-in-on-tantramars-2024-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"Residents asked to weigh in on Tantramar’s 2024 budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Town staff are working on the first ever homegrown budget for the amalgamated municipality of Tantramar. The current year\u2019s budget<\/a> was written and approved by the provincial government, but for 2024, it\u2019s local staff and council that will get final say on how to spend approximately $15.5 million<\/a> on behalf of the municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the process, staff are seeking some input from citizens. CHMA called up town treasurer Mike Beal and corporate services director Kieran Miller to find out more about what they have planned, starting with a public meeting slated for September 19, inviting residents to weigh in on budget priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those less inclined to public speaking, the town is also asking for input via an online survey<\/a> which asks residents to choose where they\u2019d like to see enhanced or reduced services by department, and also to choose their top three spending priorities from a long list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miller says staff will summarize the results once the survey closes on September 22. \u201cWe\u2019re just going to look and see if there’s any common themes from the information submitted, if there’s anything that’s not there that we thought would be,\u201d says Miller. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey also collects demographic information which Miller says will not impact that results, but is just there to make sure the survey reaches a diverse group of people. “It just helps us know who’s submitting the survey, who’s engaging, and then who we’re not getting, so we can try and figure out how to reach those residents,” says Miller. “Each voice has the same importance.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey is online but also available on paper with copies available at Sackville and Dorchester libraries as well as town hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miller says it\u2019s also possible for residents to share feedback via social media or by contacting councillors directly<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Unpacking the Tantramar budget: tax rates up in LSDs, down slightly in town and village<\/a><\/blockquote>