WEST CARLETON – The City of Ottawa will accept budget input on until Dec. 5 so next year’s spending can be approved on Dec. 11.

The draft budget will go to council this Wednesday (Nov. 6) before being discussed by the city’s various committees.

Coun. Eli El-Chantiry hosted a West Carleton-focused public budget consultation on Oct. 22 in Kinburn and now residents can contribute their budget input in the form of committee delegations.

 “On Oct. 22, I hosted my pre-budget consultation to obtain feedback from Ward 5 residents on preparing the City’s draft budget for 2020,” the councillor released in a statement Hallowe’en (Oct. 31). “The next step will be tabling the draft budget at council on Wednesday, Nov. 6, followed by public meetings to be held between Nov. 12 and Dec. 5, where the city’s various standing committees, boards and commissions will consider each portion of the budget.”

Residents can register as a public delegation at a budget review meeting and make a five-minute presentation. Go to ottawa.ca/budget for more details including how to register as a delegation and meeting times/locations. The meeting schedule is noted below:

• Nov. 12: Ottawa Public Library
• Nov. 19: Standing Committee on Environmental Protection, Water & Waste Management
• Nov. 20: Transit Commission
• Nov. 21: Community & Protective Services committee
• Nov. 25: IT sub-committee
• Nov. 25: Ottawa Police Services Board
• Nov. 26: Audit committee
• Nov. 28: Planning committee
• Dec. 3: Finance & Economic Development committee
• Dec. 4: Transportation committee
• Dec. 5: Agriculture & Rural Affairs committee

Budget 2020 will go to Council for final approval on Wednesday, Dec. 11.