Citizens' Ideas Sought Regarding Upcoming City Budget

December 19, 2007

To give citizens a greater opportunity to discuss their priorities for city services that should be funded in the upcoming budget, the City of Hampton is hosting three community budget forums.

This additional input from citizens arose from a specific request by the Hampton City Council. The varied ideas from citizens will be one factor that the City Manager considers in putting together his recommended budget to Council for Fiscal Year 08-09. City Council will also view this information from citizens as it makes its final determination on the upcoming budget in May.

At the community budget forums, which are scheduled for mid-January, citizens will receive an overview of the major services provided by the city. The presentation will also include a look at the city's sources of revenues and the major expenditure drivers.

Citizens will then break into smaller groups to identify their top priorities for services. If they desire new services or property tax rate reductions, they will be asked for their opinions on how to balance the upcoming budget.

Following the small group discussions, citizens will also be asked to fill out a budget survey, asking the degree of importance they place on specific city services.

"There are obviously a number of needs facing the city at this time, and we anticipate a variety of opinions," said City Manager Jesse T. Wallace, Jr. "This will give citizens a chance to express how they would like to see tax dollars allocated."

In addition to these forums, the city will also be conducting a citizens' telephone survey in January where 300 citizens will be randomly asked questions about their budget priorities.

A similar survey is now available on line HERE.

All of the survey results will be available for viewing in March as the budget planning process moves forward.