Budget 2010: Thoughts and Ideas Survey

Budget 2010: Thoughts and Ideas

The 2010-2011 Proposed Operating Budget reflects some of the most difficult economic times Chesapeake has seen. The City has responded to reduced revenue growth for several years, but for the second year, we are facing a budget with less money than the previous year. And next year will be more of the same. As it has been said many times, "This is a budget that no one is going to like." It's true. Government is changing. Citizens will see reductions in services. Maybe your neighborhood park isn't mowed as often. Maybe the ditch near your house is cleaned less frequently. Nearly everyone will feel the impact.

For this survey, we're asking two things.

First, tell us what is important to you. That will help guide budget development in the future. We received very little feedback during our budget sessions in the fall, but many people are now more aware of the dire situation we face and the hard choices that are being made. Your input is crucial in the decision making process.

Second, if Chesapeake is going to remain a vital city with a good quality of life, everyone needs to play a role. Government can't do it alone. The proposed budget does not include tax increases because we know you are living with less, too. What we're hoping is that instead, you will be willing give a little of yourself and a little of your time. Below, we've provided examples of your friends and neighbors pitching in to improve life for all of us. We're asking you to join them. Suggestions are included, but we're anxious to hear your ideas, too.

We know that there are people that believe that the City should be able to provide all that is needed with the money we have. While we respect your opinion, our hope is to keep this particular survey focused on the positive things we can do together. We appreciate your cooperation.

Thank you. Together, we can keep Chesapeake a great place to live, work and raise our children.

	First in Importance	Second in Importance	Third in Importance	Fourth in Importance	Fifth in Importance
Environment	*Please select the top five services your local government should provide in order of importance. Environment First in Importance	Environment Second in Importance	Environment Third in Importance	Environment Fourth in Importance	Environment Fifth in Importance
Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties.	Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties. First in Importance	Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties. Second in Importance	Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties. Third in Importance	Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties. Fourth in Importance	Community Services Board: services for people affected by mental illness, intellectual disabilities, substance abuse, or developmental difficulties. Fifth in Importance
Road and bridge maintenance	Road and bridge maintenance First in Importance	Road and bridge maintenance Second in Importance	Road and bridge maintenance Third in Importance	Road and bridge maintenance Fourth in Importance	Road and bridge maintenance Fifth in Importance
Animal Control	Animal Control First in Importance	Animal Control Second in Importance	Animal Control Third in Importance	Animal Control Fourth in Importance	Animal Control Fifth in Importance
Human Services	Human Services First in Importance	Human Services Second in Importance	Human Services Third in Importance	Human Services Fourth in Importance	Human Services Fifth in Importance
Growth management	Growth management First in Importance	Growth management Second in Importance	Growth management Third in Importance	Growth management Fourth in Importance	Growth management Fifth in Importance
Development: business and residential	Development: business and residential First in Importance	Development: business and residential Second in Importance	Development: business and residential Third in Importance	Development: business and residential Fourth in Importance	Development: business and residential Fifth in Importance
Trash collection	Trash collection First in Importance	Trash collection Second in Importance	Trash collection Third in Importance	Trash collection Fourth in Importance	Trash collection Fifth in Importance
Libraries	Libraries First in Importance	Libraries Second in Importance	Libraries Third in Importance	Libraries Fourth in Importance	Libraries Fifth in Importance
Police	Police First in Importance	Police Second in Importance	Police Third in Importance	Police Fourth in Importance	Police Fifth in Importance
Transportation: more roads	Transportation: more roads First in Importance	Transportation: more roads Second in Importance	Transportation: more roads Third in Importance	Transportation: more roads Fourth in Importance	Transportation: more roads Fifth in Importance
Tourism	Tourism First in Importance	Tourism Second in Importance	Tourism Third in Importance	Tourism Fourth in Importance	Tourism Fifth in Importance
Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes	Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes First in Importance	Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes Second in Importance	Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes Third in Importance	Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes Fourth in Importance	Parks & Recreation: community centers, parks, athletic programs, recreation classes Fifth in Importance
Communications with citizens	Communications with citizens First in Importance	Communications with citizens Second in Importance	Communications with citizens Third in Importance	Communications with citizens Fourth in Importance	Communications with citizens Fifth in Importance
Water & wastewater services	Water & wastewater services First in Importance	Water & wastewater services Second in Importance	Water & wastewater services Third in Importance	Water & wastewater services Fourth in Importance	Water & wastewater services Fifth in Importance
Fine arts/public art	Fine arts/public art First in Importance	Fine arts/public art Second in Importance	Fine arts/public art Third in Importance	Fine arts/public art Fourth in Importance	Fine arts/public art Fifth in Importance
Fire	Fire First in Importance	Fire Second in Importance	Fire Third in Importance	Fire Fourth in Importance	Fire Fifth in Importance
Senior services	Senior services First in Importance	Senior services Second in Importance	Senior services Third in Importance	Senior services Fourth in Importance	Senior services Fifth in Importance
Public Schools	Public Schools First in Importance	Public Schools Second in Importance	Public Schools Third in Importance	Public Schools Fourth in Importance	Public Schools Fifth in Importance
Neighborhood improvement	Neighborhood improvement First in Importance	Neighborhood improvement Second in Importance	Neighborhood improvement Third in Importance	Neighborhood improvement Fourth in Importance	Neighborhood improvement Fifth in Importance
Drainage	Drainage First in Importance	Drainage Second in Importance	Drainage Third in Importance	Drainage Fourth in Importance	Drainage Fifth in Importance
Online Services	Online Services First in Importance	Online Services Second in Importance	Online Services Third in Importance	Online Services Fourth in Importance	Online Services Fifth in Importance
Youth Services – after school programs, etc.	Youth Services – after school programs, etc. First in Importance	Youth Services – after school programs, etc. Second in Importance	Youth Services – after school programs, etc. Third in Importance	Youth Services – after school programs, etc. Fourth in Importance	Youth Services – after school programs, etc. Fifth in Importance
Customer Service	Customer Service First in Importance	Customer Service Second in Importance	Customer Service Third in Importance	Customer Service Fourth in Importance	Customer Service Fifth in Importance

If you agree to volunteer, City staff stand ready to assist you. For example, if you agree to pick up trash in a park, we can provide trash bags. Please leave your contact information below. Name:
Address:
Address 2:
City/Town:
State:
ZIP:
Email Address:
Phone Number:

Budget 2010: Thoughts and Ideas

Please select the top five services your local government should provide in order of importance.

Please check the type of help you can provide:

If you agree to volunteer, City staff stand ready to assist you. For example, if you agree to pick up trash in a park, we can provide trash bags. Please leave your contact information below.