News Release
February 3, 2010
Concord seeks input on budget through survey, community workshops
In light of Concord's unprecedented budget deficit caused by the recession, the City Council has requested a more robust outreach program this year than is traditionally the case in the development of the City budget.
The outreach program includes an online Community Priorities Survey and three "Living Within Our Means" community workshops. The comments from the survey and workshops will assist the City Council in making the choices necessary to close a $10 million gap in the City's general fund budget over the next two years.
Last year, the City Council made $8.2 million in budget cuts through staff reductions and service cutbacks. The severity of additional budget cuts may mean drastic reductions in City services. The City Council would like to hear from residents about their priorities in the face of possible service reductions.
"I hope to see many Concord residents at the workshops and hear from them through the online survey," said Mayor Guy Bjerke. "That input will be very important to me and the other City Council members as we work on ways to reduce the deficit and balance next year's budget."
Online survey
In January, the City conducted a Community Priorities telephone survey of 600 randomly selected residents. Members of the community who were not contacted for the telephone survey may take the survey online or fill out a paper survey and return it to City offices.
The online survey is available at www.cityofconcord.org in the News & Events box on the home page. Paper copies of the online survey are also available from the City Manager's Office at Civic Center, 1950 Parkside Drive, or by calling (925) 671-3150.
Community Workshops
Concord residents and business owners will soon receive an invitation in the mail to attend one of three identical "Living Within Our Means" community workshops schedule for:
- Saturday, Feb. 27, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle
- Wednesday, March 3, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road
- Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., Cambridge Elementary School, 1135 Lacey Lane
Attendees will learn what the City has done so far to balance what the community needs and wants with the amount of funding available.
After a break, residents will play the "Penny for Your Thoughts" game. Working in small groups, participants will roll up their sleeves and demonstrate how they would fund major City services by spending from a bank of available pennies. They will also complete an exercise in which they are asked to decide which City services are their highest priorities.
Residents are encouraged to register for the workshops. To register online, visit www.cityofconcord.org and see the information in the News and Events box. To register by phone, call the registration Hotline (925) 671-3009.
For more information, contact Community Relations Manager Leslye Asera, (925) 671-3272, lasera@ci.concord.ca.us.