The budget process is vital for transparency and provides financial accountability to Vancouver residents

VANCOUVER – Development of the city of Vancouver’s 2023-2024 biennial budget is under way. The budget serves as a plan for the city on how resources will be allocated to provide services to the community. The budget process is also vital for transparency and provides financial accountability to Vancouver residents. 

Shaping budget policy priorities

This spring, the city manager engaged with City Council members on a series of budget topics, seeking their direction and learning their policy priorities to help inform the development of the recommended budget that he’s required to submit to Council no later than October 1. The next step is engaging with the community to learn which of the policy priorities they value most. 

“I’m asking the community to share their thoughts to help shape our budget priorities,” City Manager Eric Holmes said. “I want to learn what matters most to the Vancouver community when it comes to livability and services, as well as economic, social and environmental concerns.”

 The policy priorities (in no particular order) for the 2023-24 budget are: 

1. Reduce Carbon Footprint  
2. Grow Economic Opportunity  
3. Improve Community Safety and Wellbeing  
4. Build and Maintain Exceptional Public Spaces and Places  
5. Improve Equity and Inclusion  

How Residents Can Help

Community members are being asked to use the interactive tool on Be Heard Vancouver by August 22, to share how they would rank the policy priorities. The city will use the community input, along with other touchpoints, in developing the 2023-24 biennium budget.  

The community is also invited to a virtual meeting via Zoom led by City Manager Eric Holmes on Tuesday, Aug. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The meeting will cover the budget process and include interactive opportunities for attendees to share their opinion on the budget priorities. 

Learn more about the city’s current budget process and watch for future notice regarding opportunities to engage with the City about budget priorities in person.

Information provided by city of Vancouver.