In the first episode of Tell Me More: The City of Kingston Podcast, Chief Financial Officer Desiree Kennedy tells us more about how the City survived this roller coaster budgetary year with an AA Credit Rating, what we learned, and how we move forward. We also discuss public engagement on the budget and a 2021 forecast you don't want to miss.
Listen here or wherever you enjoy your podcasts!
This fall, the City of Kingston asked residents to provide input on the 2021 and future operating and capital budgets. The community stepped up! During the public engagement period (Sept. 28 – Nov. 13), more than 2,300 people visited Get Involved Kingston to learn more about the budgeting process, download resource documents, pose questions, and provide input.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in this process by attending a virtual session, completing a poll, taking the survey or telling your friends and family members,” says City Treasurer Desiree Kennedy. She adds, “We cannot achieve a meaningful open budget process without your involvement.” Learn more about the City’s commitment to an open budgeting process.
Read more about next steps.
Thank you to everyone who completed our first weekly poll, confirming what aspects of the City’s budgets you’re most interested in learning more about. Fifty-seven per cent of respondents indicated they are most interested in the City’s operating budget!
You can learn more about the operating budget by watching this video. You may also find more detailed information by visiting CityofKingston.ca/Budget to review the 2020 budgets that were passed on Dec. 17, 2019!
Thank you to all who completed our second poll. Most participants indicated that they were somewhat to not at all familiar with City operating and capital budgets. Here’s a short video with more information: https://youtu.be/7sf8uAWQ10g
In November, we'll host two virtual open houses where we will provide an overview of our City budgets. Dates to be posted soon!
Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, Desiree Kennedy, talks to Jimmy Hassan, host of Community Voices on YourTV, about the City's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic's financial cost, and some of the ways the City is bridging the financial gap. Watch their conversation. Air date: Sept. 26, 2020.
Do you know how your City’s budget gets spent? The City is hosting a series of weekly polls to build a better understanding of which budget topics are of most interest to Kingstonians.
“As a member of the community, it’s important that you feel informed about the City’s budget, and that you have an opportunity to share your input,” says Desiree Kennedy, the City’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. “These polls will help us introduce these topics and hone our approach toward a made-in-Kingston open budgeting process.”
Read the full news release (Issued Sept. 28, 2020)
