CBRM News

Dates announced for public budget meetings across CBRM

January 26, 2015

SYDNEY, NS – Residents of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality are welcome to participate in budget consultation meetings as part of the municipality's 2015-16 budget process.

Meetings begin in Sydney Mines and North Sydney on Sunday, February 1 and finish in Sydney on February 24.

There will be a public meeting held in each of the 12 districts. Mayor Cecil Clarke and each district's councillor will attend the meetings along with key CBRM staff.

The public budget meetings were initiated as part of the CBRM Mayor and Council's Reorganization Plan for Positive Change.

Mayor Clarke says the budget consultation process helps municipal officials prioritize spending choices.

"Residents have expressed that we must have a balanced approach. That includes controlling spending in order to continue to hold the line on tax rates. We must also invest time and effort in economic development, job growth and developing new revenue streams" said Mayor Clarke. "These public meetings are an opportunity for residents to directly express to council their priorities for their tax dollars."

In past consultations, residents' priorities included working with the federal and provincial governments, development of the Port of Sydney, attracting large employers and increasing tourism activity.

The budget is expected to be finalized and ready for presentation to council by the end of March.

If bad weather requires a meeting to be rescheduled, all cancellation and reschedule information will be available on the CBRM website at www.cbrm.ns.ca and the CBRM official Facebook and Twitter accounts.

To see what district you live in, visit the CBRM's "Who is my councillor?" page at www.cbrm.ns.ca

FULL SCHEDULE:

Sunday, February 1, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
District 1 – Sydney Mines Fire Hall, 1 Elliott Street, Sydney Mines

Sunday, February 1, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
District 2 - Armstrong Memorial Branch 19 Royal Canadian Legion, 16 Archibald Ave., North Sydney

POSTPONED: Wednesday, February 25, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 3 - Northside East Bay Fire Hall, 310 Eskasoni Road, Northside East Bay

Sunday, February 8, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
District 4 - Spanish River Seniors' Club - 1842 King's Road, Sydney

Sunday, February 8, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
District 5 - Centre 200 - Main Concourse

Tuesday, February 10, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 6 - Southend Community Centre, 28 Hillview Drive, Sydney

Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 8 - Albert Bridge Fire Hall, 4330 Louisbourg Highway, Albert Bridge

Thursday, February 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 7 - Marion Bridge Seniors and Pensioners Centre, 4037 Gabarus Highway, Marion Bridge

Thursday, February 19, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 9 - Reserve Mines Fire Hall, 195 Main Street, Reserve Mines

Sunday, February 22, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
District 10 - Dominion Fire Hall, 14 Commercial Street, Dominion

Sunday, February 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
District 11 - Knights of Columbus (KOC) Hall, 3236 Plummer Avenue, New Waterford

Tuesday, February 24, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 12 - Royal Canadian Legion Br. 128, 850 Victoria Road, Whitney Pier

Wednesday, February 25, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
District 3 - Northside East Bay Fire Hall, 310 Eskasoni Road, Northside East Bay