Written By David Gomez, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
ADELAIDE METCALFE - The results of the 2025 budget survey were presented at the October 7 council meeting, offering insights into the priorities and concerns of this township’s residents. The survey, conducted from August 1 to September 6, was designed to gather community input to inform the budget planning process. The township’s treasurer, Johnny Pereira, presented the findings to council, noting that the survey garnered 46 responses, an improvement from previous years but still representing a relatively small portion of the population.
Pereira explained that the survey was made available online and promoted through various channels, including the township’s website, social media, and the final tax billing newsletter. He emphasized that, while the response rate remains modest, the feedback provides valuable insights that will help shape the budget for the upcoming year.
One of the key findings from the survey was that 60% of respondents preferred digital communication methods, such as social media and the website, marking a shift from previous years. Meanwhile, 65% of participants indicated that the current communication methods were adequate, though some expressed interest in an email newsletter.
Regarding residents’ satisfaction with township services, 84% rated the services they receive for their tax dollars as fair, good, or excellent. This marks a decrease from the previous year’s 96%. There was a noticeable trend in favour of maintaining services, with 60% of respondents supporting a tax increase to keep services at their current levels, while another 11% were in favour of increasing taxes to enhance or expand services. Conversely, 24% preferred cutting services to avoid tax hikes.
When asked about infrastructure, 36% of respondents identified it as a top funding priority. Some supported capping annual increases at 1%, while a few indicated openness to utilizing debt for infrastructure projects. Pereira noted positive trends in satisfaction levels across key service areas, including roads, winter maintenance, and Kerwood Park, with 85% of respondents expressing a preference for maintaining current service levels into 2025.
The survey results have been distributed to department managers for consideration as they work on the 2025 budget. Pereira indicated that the feedback would help guide budget deliberations, with a focus on aligning departmental plans with community preferences. Following the presentation, council approved the recommendation to receive the report for information, with Councillor MacKinnon and Councillor Brodie moving and seconding the motion, respectively.
The survey’s findings will be further addressed during the upcoming budget presentations and working group sessions, as the township aims to incorporate residents’ input into the decision-making process for the 2025 fiscal year.
