CITY COUNCIL to IMPLEMENT BUDGET STRATEGIC GOALS In April, City Council adopted the following strategic goals. These goals are part of the Budgeting for Priorities process that Council will use in developing the 2012 City Budget.
• Fiscally Responsible Government : Provide consistent and quality municipal services that maximize return on investments, leverage outside resources, are equitable for local taxpayers, and increase the opportunity for economic development.
• Plan for a Sustainable Community : Strive to provide a diversity of attractive housing, educational and employment opportunities, and a well-maintained infrastructure designed for future growth.
• Excellence in Government : Strive for government that is predictable, accountable, and honest; actively seek citizen involvement; and incorporate clear and achievable goals that are committed to success.
• Our Unique Community : Maintain our community as a place where our citizens enjoy a superior quality of life composed of abundant recreational resources, a unique natural setting, thriving cultural opportunities, and a balanced economic base.
• Public Safety : Continue efforts to ensure that our community is recognized as a safe place to live, work and play and is known for excellent public safety services that are provided by well-trained and highly-competent personnel.
• Economic Development : Strive to create a balanced and diverse local economy, while maximizing employment and educational opportunities for the entire community with a well-maintained infrastructure designed for future growth.
City Council will use these goals for setting priorities for the 2012 budget in terms of programs and services and will hold a special meeting, open to the public, on August 30, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to discuss the development of the 2012 budget.
RESULTS of COMMUNITY SURVEY on BUDGET PRIORITIES In developing the 2011 City Budget, the City Council and City staff recognized that certain difficult financial decisions would need to be made in order to create a balanced budget without requiring any tax increases. It was decided that public input was critical to guide the City in this challenging process, in order to better understand community priorities. Several methods were initiated to solicit this public input; these included conducting a town meeting on the budget and City Council members attending the Farmers' Market on several Saturdays to solicit feedback on the budget.
The primary tool selected for soliciting input from the public was the use of a city-wide citizen survey. This survey was developed by the Finance Department staff, with input from the City Council, City Manager, and Department Heads. It was sent to all utility customers with their monthly utility bills. In addition, citizens were given the option of completing the survey on-line, and obtaining additional survey forms which were available at the front desk at City Hall and at several other venues such as the Farmers' Market.
Results of the survey are available below. Please note: Individual citizen comments were reproduced as submitted including grammar and spelling.
Results of Community Survey on Budget Priorities
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A total of over 1400 survey forms were completed, which represents about 15% of the total households in Port Angeles . This included 998 responses from the utility bill insert, 382 responses on-line, and 82 responses to the printed survey forms. This is an excellent response rate and confirms the high level of interest that local citizens have in their city government. With this high level of response, the priorities that have been identified will be very useful to the City Council and City staff in the development of the 2011 Budget.
The City appreciates this interest from its citizens and for the care and concern expressed for the future of our community.
YOUR INPUT IS ESSENTIAL
Your input throughout the entire budget process is essential, as the City strives to maintain a strong financial position while providing a sustainable level of services and still meeting the needs of the community.
Contact Us!
Please feel free to contact the Finance Department with your questions and comments at either 360-417-4600 or finance@cityofpa.us
PRIORITY BUDGETING FOR THE "NEW NORMAL" June 29, 2010 - City Manager Myers and Finance Director Ziomkowski
made a presentation to City Council regarding the process for budgeting for priorities.
The presentation covered the steps necessary for success, the implementation plan, determination and measurement of results and how to identify and score City programs and services.
PRIORITY BUDGETING FOR THE "NEW NORMAL"
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Budgeting for priorities gives citizens the opportunity to provide input while instilling confidence and trust that community needs will be met while maintaining a strong financial position. For more information, contact the Finance Department at either 360-417-4600 or finance@cityofpa.us
Welcome...the goal of the Finance Department is to manage and optimize the City's financial affairs and provide professional, knowledgeable, and courteous service to city employees and customers.
Along with general accounting and budgeting services, the Finance Department is also responsible for customer service, centralized switchboard, reprographics, the city web site and coordinating and supporting the entire information networking and computer services used by city departments.
Information at your fingertips. Now you can access Annual and Audit reports, Budget Information, and learn more about how the City manages its financial resources.
Contact Us!
Please feel free to contact the Finance Department with your questions and comments at either 360-417-4600 or finance@cityofpa.us
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~ In Partnership With the Community ~
CITY BUDGET / MONTHLY FINANCIAL UPDATE It is the policy of the City of Port Angeles to maintain a level of expenditures that enhances the safety and well-being of residents in our community. At the same time, it is necessary to avoid preparing a budget that is balanced at the expense of future budgets.
City Council prioritized critical services for basic services such as utilities, fire and police protection, street maintenance, and community development.
This newsletter gives a monthly financial update ....
New! Now Available for City Residents You can now pay or check your utility usage on line! This new feature allows you to view billing history, payment activity, and service and consumption summaries as well as pay your bill. Save a monthly trip to city hall or the cost of postage. It's quick, easy and secure....give it a try! To Utility Information Center
CITY WEBSITE The City of Port Angeles hosts its own web site. We believe this is the best way to keep the information as complete and up-to-date as possible and it also allows residents to quick, easy and secure access to online utility account information.
The goal of this web site is to provide online access to utility account information, specific information about the services provided by your city government, general information about the City of Port Angeles and quick and easy ways to contact city staff for more assistance if ever necessary.
We invite you to visit the web site regularly. Watch for continuous updates and new features as we strive to make each visit an informative and pleasant experience for you.
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Along with general accounting and budgeting services,
New! Now Available for City Residents