A Princeton councillor would like to have more engagement around the proposed 2021 municipal budget – but she’s not about to do it on social media.
At a recent meeting Coun. Barb Gould proposed a successful motion directing staff to investigate ways to solicit input from the community, following guidelines from the province.
Those guidelines include the option of holding electronic or phone meetings to get feedback during a public hearing.
Gould said she and other members of council genuinely want input on the budget.
“I’m not going to debate it on Facebook,” she said in an interview with The Spotlight.
“But I’d gladly have a conversation on it anytime.”
There was considerable on-line criticism of the proposed budget, which includes an overall five per cent increase in tax collection amounting to $30 for the average household.
READ MORE: Town hall proposes five per cent tax increase for 2021
The budget also allows for $2.87 million in capital spending, most of which is dependent on grants from other levels of governments.
False information is being spread, said Gould, which amounts “to something like gas lighting…If any one of those people would call into town hall and talk to (finance director James Graham) they would get answers to their questions.”
Graham told The Spotlight he’s received just one request for information regarding the budget.
He added he is currently preparing a budget PowerPoint presentation to be available online and at the town hall.
Time will be allowed for written submissions from the public before the budget is passed, he said.
READ MORE: Proposed tax increase for 2021 amounts to $30 for the average household
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:mailto:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com
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