Saanich to develop engagement program for budget process

March 7, 2018

Media release
For immediate release

 

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich Council passed a motion March 5 to develop an engagement program for the strategic and financial plans. Council allocated up to $200,000 from its strategic priorities contingency fund with the aim of creating an ongoing comprehensive and inclusive public engagement program. 

“We need to determine how our citizens and stakeholders want to participate in these planning processes,” said Councillor and Finance Standing Committee Chair Vicki Sanders. “Council and staff will better understand citizens’ expectations through annual public input and involvement.” 

The annual financial plan is developed based on activities and operations outlined in the four-year strategic plan, which is largely guided by the official community plan. The new approach will see the strategic and financial plan engagement cycles align with Council’s four-year term beginning in 2019 after the next municipal election this fall. The comprehensive engagement process will also align with Council’s public participation policy. 

A request for proposals will be issued in late spring 2018 to hire a qualified consultant to develop the engagement program. Public input will be sought later in the year to develop the engagement program. 

Learn More: 

The report to Council and the 2018 draft financial plan are available on saanich.ca.

 

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Media contact:

Megan Catalano, Communications Manager
megan.catalano@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 3444