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Citizen Panel

As part of the effort to receive the widest possible range of experiences and informed views on how to invest municipal tax dollars, the City conducted a pilot project with the University of Alberta to use of a Citizen Panel in the 2010-2011 budget process.

A panel of 49 randomly selected Edmontonians met over six Saturdays in the spring of 2009 to discuss City spending priorities. They set the agenda and identified all the information they wanted from the City, including budget documents and presentations, growth plans and infrastructure issues.

After intensive discussion and analysis not possible in other methods of public involvement, the panel provided two new directions and four recommendations for City Council to consider in setting the 2010-2011 budget. Their report "2009 Citizen Panel's Recommendations to Edmonton City Council, 2010-11 Budget Priorities" was presented to City Council July 22, 2009.

Council accepted the recommendations and committed to bear them in mind during 2010 budgeting. The "Report to Edmonton Citizen Panelists" identifies how their recommendations were reflected in the City of Edmonton 2010 budget.

Background

The City was responsible for content and the University of Alberta was responsible for the citizen panel process and writing the final report The 2009 Citizen Panel's Recommendations to Edmonton City Council 2010-2011 Budget Priorities.

The Citizen Panel extends the City's commitment to involving people in setting spending priorities. Edmontonians can continue to add their views and their voice to Edmonton's spending priorities through:

• Annual Citizen Satisfaction Survey
• Citizen calls, letters and emails to the Mayor and City Councillors
• Public hearings and Town Hall meetings during the annual fall budget deliberations

Recommendations submitted to Council:

• Citizen Panel New Direction 1: Citizens, City Council and Administration will need to adopt a change in thinking if we are to increase livability. A change in thinking should be achieved through both incentives and disincentives created by the public and private sectors.
• Citizen Panel New Direction 2: We need to act in ways that demonstrate and strengthen the interconnectedness of community life.
• Recommendation 1: Continue to increase the density of our city through long-term planning.
• Recommendation 2: Ensure that our transportation system emphasizes the convenience of users and the uniqueness of Edmonton’s climate.
• Recommendation 3: Use environmental and economic sustainability as the basis for policy decisions aimed at livability.
• Recommendation 4: Use proactive and preventative methods to reduce crime and increase safety.

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