Tuey had a large audience for the city’s initial 2018 budget preview
KINGSTON—Residents and city officials participated in Kingston’s second annual public budget forum, Monday evening, in preparation for the 2018 city budget.
The forum provided a casual, open atmosphere, where conference tables were set up relating each city department: sustainability, police, fire, public works, general government and Parks & Recreation. Residents were free to go from table to table to engage with the present department representatives about their concerns for budget allocation, as well as ask any questions they had.
Community budgetary concerns ranged from: parking kiosks, vacant and derelict properties, foreclosures and zoning, to funding for city commissions, urban revitalization, city infrastructure projects, sanitation fees and procedural justice within the police department.
City Comptroller John Tuey, who was host to the general government table, reinforced that the public input received was broad.
“I think it was pretty varied tonight,” said Tuey. “We heard a lot of questions that I, personally, hadn’t heard before, but we had a lot of questions seemed to be focused around support for local business. It seemed to be a recurring question. There are some ongoing parking questions and questions about translation services. Things of that nature.”
This practice of having the public participate in the budget process, more than in just the mandated public hearings before the final budget is accepted, has been championed by the city’s mayor Steven Noble and according to him, has achieved much desired results.
Noble said the practice is not only about giving the residents more ability to participate in their local government, but is also to help educate city officials on constituent desires, as well as to bridge a disconnect between the constituents and city government that he believes previously existed.
“Our goal with this is to really be able to help bridge the gap between government and citizens because in the end, government is supposed to be working for the citizens; and so, by having an opportunity to get them involved in the budget, it’s not only a policy tool, but it’s also they fund it,” said Noble. “Everybody should get a chance to weigh in and this is just the start of our budget process.”
After the public feedback has been evaluated, Noble will submit the budget for Common Council approval by the deadline of October 17.
