City planning ward town halls

The city will direct its public engagement for the 2020 budget in a ward-by-ward direction.

According to a report from finance commissioner Stephanie Sinnott, ward budget town halls have proven successful in other municipalities including Toronto, Brampton, Peterborough and Sarnia.

It is proposed the town halls will be coupled with other public engagements such as Q&A sessions on Connect Oshawa, and a feedback form on the city’s website.

Two councillors representing each town hall will be invited to partake.

Staff from building, finance, fire prevention, recreation and other departments will participate as well.

The town halls are tentatively scheduled between Sept. 9 and Sept. 16 at Delpark Homes Centre (Ward 1), Northview Community Centre (Ward 2), Donevan Recreation Complex (Ward 3), Civic Recreation Complex (Ward 4) and South Oshawa Community Centre (Ward 5).

The costs of the events will be funded in the finance services department’s operating budget.

Sinnott notes staff attending the meetings in person may result in increased staffing costs.