February 16, 2010

Citizens' Ideas Sought on Annual City Budget
During "Budget Week"

The city is pleased to announce the kick-off of a string of city public engagement events regarding the city's budget. Starting Saturday, February 20, the city begins "Budget Week." This is the first in a series of events designed to gauge the community's thinking as the city begins to assemble one of the most difficult budgets in its history.

During Budget Week, citizens will have an opportunity to hear about the current budget challenge and to provide their feedback using audience polling technology. In subsequent events, the city manager and her staff will be conducting less formal events where citizens will be invited to informal settings and encouraging open dialogue.

It is the City's hope that through these extensive efforts, staff will be able to more fully understand the community's sense of values and use information obtained at the events to build a budget that is sensitive to and aligns with those community values. In addition to the formal and informal events, citizens will also be able to provide feedback through an online survey (printed versions will also be available).

Citizens are encouraged to attend one of the events listed below during Budget Week. A schedule for the less formal events subsequent to Budget Week will be forthcoming in the coming days.

The Budget Week schedule is as follows:

Saturday, February 20 9:00am, Old Hampton Community Center 201 Lincoln Street	Thursday, February 25 6:30pm, Aberdeen Elementary School 1424 Aberdeen Road
Tuesday, February 23 7:00pm, Jones Magnet Middle School 1819 Nickerson Boulevard	Saturday, February 27 9:00am, Hampton Teen Center 300 Butler Farm Road
Wednesday, February 24 6:30pm, Northampton Community Center 1435-A Todds Lane

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Media Contact: Rebecca Bolte, Public Communications Manager, Dianne R. Foster, Public Information Officer