City asking for public input on 2019 budget

The city is asking for your input for next year’s budget.

The ‘Chime In’ program was formed several years ago but the city is now taking to social media to gain more responses. The city is asking that you visit their website HERE to take their survey and include your input. The survey asks what major categories you feel should be priorities including business service, cultural and education programs or public safety. The survey also asks what you would like included in the 2019 budget.

During a city council meeting Tuesday, city officials gave an update on the program. This year’s response has been more than what they’ve seen in the past.

“It’s actually really, really good news so far. We kicked off about two weeks ago. I told city council we normally get about 40 responses in the budget process and so far this year we’re up to almost 400 so we got about ten times the output we normally get,” Office of Management and Budget Robert Cortinas said.

Cortinas tells ABC-7 some of last year’s ideas resulted in additional police officers, new Sun Metro routes, new traffic signal lights and additional water parks.

The city is accepting suggestions until May 6th.