For over a month the City of Victoria conducted an online survey and public consultation to gather feedback on the Draft 2019 Financial Plan, which came out Dec. 17, 2018.

During that time 1, 483 citizens responded to an online budget survey, while hundreds gathered at the Budget Town Hall meeting.

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Of the online responders, 82.5 per cent live within the city, with 52 per cent owning property and 21 per cent owning or operating businesses.

The survey asked residents to rank their priorities, and judge how they felt money was being spent.

Respondents ranked the top strategic objectives as: affordable housing, strong livable community, good governance, sustainable transportation, climate leadership, health and well-being, prosperity and economic growth, and reconciliation.

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Most respondents said that spending on operating costs were B次元官网网址渏ust right,B次元官网网址� with the exception of the Victoria Police Department. Even though many residents sent messages criticizing the Victoria Police DepartmentB次元官网网址檚 request for a $57 million budget, the largest group of respondents (36 per cent) voted that the police budget was too low, citing a need for more downtown security, mental health training and the return of school liaisons.

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Funding for the Victoria Fire Department was B次元官网网址渏ust right.B次元官网网址�

Overall, respondents felt that spending on capital projects was B次元官网网址渏ust rightB次元官网网址� with the exception of spending on active transportation, which people categorized were B次元官网网址渢oo high.B次元官网网址�

Just over 51 per cent of citizens agreed with the proposed tax increase of 4.3 per cent.

When asked how the City should fund the new Employer Health Tax, 62.6 per cent responded with B次元官网网址渦se new tax revenue from new developments.B次元官网网址�

To see the full, 285-page engagement summary, you can visit /

nicole.crescenzi@vicnews.com