The information collected will help shape the 2025-26 Biennial Budget

Vancouver, Wash. – The city of Vancouver is launching its community survey on Wednesday (June 12) and urges residents to “pick up” the phone to tell the city what they think about livability, city services and priorities.             

“The community’s input is an important component of the budget development process,” said Communications Director Laura Shepard. “Taking the survey is a great opportunity to share your thoughts and priorities surrounding services.” 

The information collected will help shape the 2025-26 Biennial Budget. The community survey is one touchpoint of many that the city will use to help inform how to close the $43 million budget gap for this biennium. 

The gap is due to the compounding impacts of significant inflation across all spending categories, particularly labor costs. Also, a softening of revenues due to slowing growth and the incremental costs of added programs in recent years have contributed to a deficit between what it costs to provide services and what is available to provide them.

The city is working with DHM Research to conduct the survey. Individuals will be contacted by call and/or text message. Community members will know it is the city’s survey because the area code will be 564. The results will be published on the city’s website.    

Later this summer, the city will open an online prioritization tool where community members can also provide input to the budget process.

City Manager Eric Holmes will present his proposed 2025-26 Biennial Budget to the City Council on Oct. 1. Information about the budget can be found at 2025-26 Biennial Budget Process.

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.