In her enthusiasm and, I suspect, to make it more difficult for me to say B次元官网网址榥oB次元官网网址� to her gleeful request B次元官网网址� i.e. demand B次元官网网址� my seven-year-old is hopping up and down.

She is hopeful IB次元官网网址檒l take her and her brother to see The Lorax.

I sigh as dollar signs flash before my eyes.

B次元官网网址淲e just went to a movie two weeks ago,B次元官网网址� I say. B次元官网网址淩emember, weB次元官网网址檙e trying to save our money for our vacation this summer.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淒oes that mean we canB次元官网网址檛 see the movie?B次元官网网址� she asks me, no longer bouncing.

B次元官网网址淣o. We just want to be able to save our money for other things. Bigger things.B次元官网网址�

Ahh, the juggling act that is the family budget.

Without missing a beat B次元官网网址� The Lorax temporarily forgotten B次元官网网址� my kids begin rhyming off a list of things theyB次元官网网址檇 like to see and do during their vacation, though itB次元官网网址檚 months away.

B次元官网网址淲e wonB次元官网网址檛 be able to do everything that week,B次元官网网址� I warn them. B次元官网网址淟etB次元官网网址檚 vote on it, so that everyone can have a say.B次元官网网址�

No one likes to be outvoted, but the discussion gives me a better sense of everyoneB次元官网网址檚 expectations. And it allows the kids to appreciate, however temporarily, that there is a spending cap.

It makes me think back to interviews I conducted last week about EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 2012 municipal budget. B次元官网网址橳is the season, as each municipality goes over the books and crunches the numbers.

It wonB次元官网网址檛 be long before property owners find out how much their municipal taxes will cost them. Esquimalt property owners will likely face a tax hike, possibly higher than the year prior. According to Black Press council reporters, municipalities from Saanich to Sooke will likely see a property tax increase this year.

To make matters worse in Esquimalt, few residents have taken a proactive interest in budget deliberations. Four residents attended a public budget presentation last month.

It canB次元官网网址檛 be for lack of interest, since many people are quick to express their views after the budget is passed.

Modern Democracy co-founder Jason Ross, who donates his time videotaping various public meetings held in the Capital Region, filmed the recent Esquimalt budget meeting.

After posting the videos on YouTube, they were viewed 96 times. Granted, itB次元官网网址檚 not the stuff you want to spend a couple of hours watching, even if you are in the comfort of your own home, with a bowl of popcorn in hand.

But if your taxes go up and you didnB次元官网网址檛 attend any budget meetings or send in an email with your input, do you still have a right to grumble about a hike after your municipalityB次元官网网址檚 budget is approved?

Sure, you do. But, whatB次元官网网址檚 the point?

B次元官网网址�(Residents) are obviously looking at a tax increase, and if they have concerns they should show up,B次元官网网址� Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins said last week. B次元官网网址淵ou canB次元官网网址檛 complain after the fact if you donB次元官网网址檛 have an understanding of the process, and (arenB次元官网网址檛) aware of all the cost implications.B次元官网网址�

Attending the meetings, or, if possible, watching them online B次元官网网址� cue the popcorn popper B次元官网网址� gives taxpayers a better sense of the financial health of their communities.

B次元官网网址淓verybody wants cheaper taxes, but IB次元官网网址檓 not sure they realize the impact,B次元官网网址� Esquimalt Coun. Meagan Brame said recently.

True. Everyone in my house wants a fantastic vacation, and the kids are beginning to realize that weB次元官网网址檒l have to tighten our belts now so we can maximize our fun later.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 not to say my daughter wonB次元官网网址檛 jump up and down excitedly from time to time, asking to see The Lorax or making other such requests, or hold back her complaints when I say B次元官网网址榥o.B次元官网网址�

But my hope is there will be fewer complaints and a bit more understanding.

Can your municipal councillors and mayors expect the same from you?

Erin McCracken is a reporter with the Victoria B次元官网网址.

emccracken@vicnews.com