Surrey to host budget consultation open houses in all town centres
The City of Surrey is asking community members to learn about the City budget and give feedback on funding priorities as part of its 2025 budget process.
Surrey, B.C. – The City of Surrey is asking community members to learn about the City budget and give feedback on funding priorities as part of its 2025 budget process. Feedback will be collected from an online survey and in-person open houses and used to help inform a draft budget for review by the City’s Finance Committee prior to Council’s adoption.
“It’s important to us that community values are reflected in the 2025 budget,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “Like last year, we are taking our budget consultation on the road with open houses in each of our town centres. I encourage all of our residents to take the online survey or drop by one of the six open houses to share your priorities and shape the 2025 budget. Your input is vital in helping us create a budget that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our vibrant and growing city.”
In preparation for the 2025 budget, Council must carefully consider new directions emerging out of City strategies as well as community priorities for funding City services, amenities and infrastructure. They must also take into account a number of external factors such as inflation, increasing construction costs, and the effects of climate change. The aim will be to keep property taxes and fees at a manageable level while also maintaining current service levels and addressing new funding priorities.
The open houses be an opportunity for community members to get a more in-depth look at the City’s budget process, with informational displays and staff on hand to answer questions and encourage feedback. The survey will provide an opportunity for community members to share which City services are most important to them and which funding options they prefer to create a balanced budget.
Additionally, the City’s new Multilingual Communications Policy will be implemented this year with a full Punjabi survey option to better serve and reach community members in that key demographic area. Punjabi speaking staff will also be available at select open houses to provide language support as needed.
The City is encouraging the public to attend any of the following open houses:
- Thursday, Sept. 12 at Guildford Recreation Centre from 4 – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Surrey City Hall from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 at Fleetwood Community Centre from 3 – 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at Cloverdale Recreation Centre from 11 a.m. –2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 at Newton Recreation Centre (outdoors in the walkway) from 4 – 7 p.m.
- Friday, Sept. 27 at South Surrey Recreation Centre from 1 – 4 p.m.
Learn more about the budget process and take the online survey at surrey.ca/budget2025.