Town of Cobourg Getting a Head Start on 2025 Budget Engagement

Council to host Community Information Sessions in August

Cobourg, ON (August 1, 2024) – The Town of Cobourg is seeking community input for the 2025 municipal budget.

The Town of Cobourg undergoes an annual budget process to align the financial resources required to provide the programs and services that establish the high quality of life residents enjoy in our community. The budget is presented by the Treasurer, with input from municipal staff on their individual departments. It is then presented to Council for review and deliberation prior to final approval.

Each year, the Corporation is faced with variables that are outside of Council or staff control. Aging infrastructure, inflation, policy changes, unexpected funding opportunities, and the changing needs of residents. Council must make budgetary decisions, based on the immediate and future needs of the community. To help Council make informed decisions, staff draw upon Council’s Strategic Plan to ensure that the financial decisions made annually, will help achieve the future vision for Cobourg as well as community input to gain insight into the desire of residents.  

Community Engagement Breakdown
The 2025 Budget Community Engagement Plan is broken down into two phases. Phase One Community Engagement will be focused on receiving input for the development of the draft budget. Staff will be seeking insight for Council on the current programs and services residents feel require additional funding and/or staff attention as well as community recommendations for programs and services that align with Council’s Strategic Plan. This information will help staff prepare the draft budget to be presented to Council in October.

Phase Two Community Engagement will seek community feedback on the draft budget. Where possible, participatory budgeting will be made available if Council is faced with making decisions between services based on funding. The results of Phase Two Community Engagement will be presented to Council prior to the detailed budget review session in November so that Council will have insight from the community as they make their final budget decisions.

Phase One Community Engagement Tactics

• Survey available on EngageCobourg.ca from August 1 – September 6, 2024.
• Council Budget Information Sessions at Victoria Hall

Phase Two Community Engagement Tactics

• Survey available on EngageCobourg.ca from October 29 – November 12, 2024

Council Budget Information Sessions:
In response to resident feedback and to improve community engagement practices, the Town of Cobourg is introducing Council Budget Information Sessions for phase one community engagement. During the month of August, each member of Council will host a budget information session where residents can ask questions about the budget or provide recommendations for the 2025 budget. Recommendations shared in these meetings will be added to the Community Engagement report to be received by all of Council.

Budget Information Sessions can be held in person at Victoria Hall, over the phone or via Zoom/Teams on the following dates:

• August 6, 2024, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Mayor Cleveland
• August 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty
• August 13, 2024, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Mayor Cleveland
• August 14, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. - Councillor Aaron Burchat
• August 19, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Councillor Miriam Mutton
• August 26, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Councillor Brian Darling
• August 29, 2024 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Councillor Adam Bureau
• September 3, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m – Councillor Randy Barber

To book an appointment with a member of Council please email Laura Howard at lhoward@cobourg.ca or call 905-372-4301 x 4305.  

Budget Engagement Timelines:

• August 1 – September 6, 2024 - Community Engagement Phase One
• October 21, 2024 - Draft Budget published to EngageCobourg.ca

Divisional Budget Presentations

• October 29: Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
  • Phase One Community Engagement Report presented to Council
• October 30: Community Protection and Economic Development Committee
• October 30: Public Works, Planning and Development Committee
• October 31: Corporate Finance and Legislative Services Committee
• October 29 – November 12, 2024 – Community Engagement Phase Two
• November 26, 2024 – Council to review the Budget in detail at Strategic Priorities and Policy (SPP) Standing Committee Meeting
  • Phase Two Community Engagement Report presented to Council followed by detailed review of the budget.
  • *November 28, 2024 – Additional SPP Standing Committee meeting to complete detailed review of budget, if required.
• *December 18, 2024: Budget Approved at Regular Council Meeting.
  • This date is subject to change.

For inquiries regarding the budget deliberation process, please email the Clerk’s Department at clerk@cobourg.ca or call 905-372-4301 x 4402

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