The consultation process

Earlier this year we consulted with the public on a draft version of the annual plan. While there are always challenges in determining future community needs and balancing those with the affordability of rates, those challenges are exacerbated by the demands of external influences such as COVID-19. The number of submissions received was comparatively high when compared with previous public consultations.

Council considered all submissions and was able to develop a plan that is still committed to action, while reducing rates increases to an affordable level within the context of those challenges.

Over 2800 submissions were made to our draft Annual Plan, 110 of which presented their submission in person to Council. Your calls for affordability resonated with us. In year 2 of the 2021- 2031 Long-Term Plan we assessed total rates revenue to be $153.5 million. This annual plan reduces that to $150.2 million, a reduction of $3.3 million.