News Room

News Release

	Contact:
September 27, 2007	Mark S. Cox, APR Director of Public Communications 382-6241 (WK)
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For immediate release	Lizz Gunnufsen Public Communications Coordinator 382-6241 (WK)

CHESAPEAKE TO KICK OFF MONTH OF BUDGET DIALOG

CHESAPEAKE- On October 1, the City of Chesapeake will begin a month of activities designed to solicit citizen input on budget priorities and educate the public about the choices the City makes when allocating funds.  The month’s events include community meetings, special programming on WCTV-48, and information on the City’s web site, CityofChesapeake.net.

“We’re starting the community input process earlier this year than we have before,” said City Manager William E. Harrell.  “Even though the budget is approved in May, building the budget begins much earlier. This is an opportunity for citizens to share their priorities and shape the budget from the beginning.”

The month begins with “Budget Week,” a series of meetings held in different areas of Chesapeake, October 1 – 4, 2007.  Citizens are invited to attend and tell City officials and staff what programs are important to them.  City Manager William E. Harrell and City staff from various departments will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback.  A flyer with the meeting schedule is attached.

For the month of October, WCTV-48 will take an entertaining and informative look at the budget on a special edition of “Chesapeake Reports.”  Public Communications Department Director Mark Cox, APR, and Budget Office Director Dr. Betty Jean Meyer address some common questions and misconceptions about the City’s budget. City Manager William E. Harrell will provide his insight during the final segment of the program.  The WCTV-48 program schedule can be found on the City’s web site, CityofChesapeake.net.

“The program is designed for the people who are more interested in learning about services than immersing themselves in the numbers,” said Cox.  “It’s a quick half hour with lots of accessible information.”

Citizens will find information about the budget on the City’s web site, CityofChesapeake.net, including sources of revenue, how the budget dollars are currently distributed, and past capital and operating budgets.  The attached flyer is also available for printing and distributing by individuals and community groups.

The month of activities culminates with a community meeting with the Chesapeake City Council at the Chesapeake Conference Center on October 25, at 5:30 p.m.  Members of the City Council will be on hand to hear citizen thoughts and ideas on funding various programs in the City.  City staff will be available to answer questions and record comments.  Citizens will be able to attend in person or send comments via email to budgetinfo@cityofchesapeake.net or telephone by calling 382-6000 on the evening of the meeting. 

The meeting will be carried live on WCTV beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Citizens who send comments via email or telephone will hear their comments read on the air, time permitting, during the live broadcast.  On the day of the meeting, citizens will also be able to provide input via a survey on the City’s web site.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for people to be involved and share their priorities,” said Mayor Dalton S. Edge.  “Balancing the desires of the community with the available funds is a challenge, and the City Council needs to know what citizens believe is important.”

The complete schedule of October’s activities is on the City’s web site, CityofChesapeake.net.  Citizens with questions specifically about the budget can call the Budget Office at 382-6158.