Wednesday, November 13, 2013 – HRM residents are invited to contribute to the 2014 Budget Consultation process by attending an upcoming Community Council session and participate in online engagement.

Citizens are encouraged to share their thoughts on service priorities and how they would like to see municipal tax dollars allocated.

Harbour East-Marine Dr. Community Council (Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Thursday, November 14, 6 p.m. , 90 Alderney Drive (waterside entrance), Dartmouth North-West Community Council (Districts 1, 13, 14, 15, 16), Monday, November 18, 7 p.m., 650 Sackville Drive, Lower Sackville Halifax & West Community Council Session (Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 11) Monday, December 2, 7 p.m., Canada Games Centre, Halifax

For more information on the Community Council sessions and agendas visit: www.Halifax.ca/commcoun/index.html

HRM has also just launched a new online tool, the Budget Allocator, via the municipality’s web-based engagement portal www.shapeyourcityhalifax.ca/hfxtax

This tool provides people with a unique glimpse into the experience of balancing the city’s budget. It allows residents to simulate adjusting the municipal tax dollars allocated to various services like transit, parks and policing – and see the potential impact this has on both service delivery and the overall budget.

The feedback provided online via HRM’s online engagement portal and the Budget Allocator tool will help inform HRM about what residents consider to be their spending priorities.

HRM residents are advised that due to construction taking place at the Alderney Ferry Terminal Plaza, access to the Harbour East-Marine Drive Community Council meeting in the Dartmouth Chamber at 90 Alderney Drive (rear, waterside entrance) will be from Alderney Drive via the wheelchair ramp at the top of the plaza stairs. The ramp will take participants directly to the rear waterside entrance. Access from the Ferry Terminal and the parkade is closed for construction.

For this meeting, free parking will be offered in the Alderney Gate Lower Parkade. From the parkade, take the elevators to the main level of Alderney Gate, onto Alderney Drive. The meeting can be accessed through the rear door of 90 Alderney Drive via the wheel chair ramp at the top of the plaza stairs.

Source: Release