Title
Resolution to Conduct a 2020 Budget Priorities Citizen Survey to Inform Development of the City's FY22 Budget and FY23 Financial Plan
Body
Whereas, An essential element of an effective local government is alignment of revenue and spending plans with the priorities of the citizens it serves;
Whereas, Active public engagement and community input are cornerstones of local government in Ann Arbor and principles highly valued by, and expected from our citizens;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor operates on a two-year budget cycle and in May 2021, the City will adopt the FY22 Budget and FY21 Financial Plan;
Whereas, City Council believes soliciting citizen input on budget and spending priorities in advance of the budget development process will provide City Staff and Council information and data that's required to ensure a FY22 Budget and FY23 Financial Plan that reflects the community's priorities;
Whereas, City Council adopted a resolution September 4, 2018 directing City Staff to conduct a Budget Priorities Citizen Survey and City Staff worked with the Center for Priority Based Budgeting (CPBB) and the National Research Center (NRC) to design, program, administer and analyze a citizen survey conducted in October and November of 2018;
Whereas, The 2018 survey was primarily focused on soliciting feedback on spending in 57 specific budget categories (for each category, respondents asked whether they would increase, decrease or keep spending about the same amount), but the survey also obtained citizen feedback on quality of life factors and considerations and on City of Ann Arbor local government performance;
Whereas, A broad-based cross-section of over 2,000 residents participated in the 2018 survey and the input/feedback obtained from the Budget Priorities Citizen Survey as well as the subsequent County Millage Proceeds Citizen Survey conducted in February 2019 were very helpful/informative and were reflected in the development of the FY20 Budget and FY2...
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