City of Moose Jaw 2022 Budget and Transit Survey

In 2021, City Council approved a 2.96% property tax increase, broken down as follows:

1.10% – Moose Jaw Police Service (Police Budget is drafted by the Board of Police Commissioners and submitted to City Council for approval)
1.00% – Parks and Recreation Capital upgrades and projects
0.86% – City Projects and Operations

Council also approved a $65 infrastructure levy to help fund the water main replacement program, a 2% increase to the water rate and 2% increase to the sanitary sewer rate.

Moose Jaw City Council will soon deliberate and determine the 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets. The Operating Budget covers expenditures and revenues associated with the day-to-day provision of services. The Capital Budget covers expenditures used to acquire, construct or improve infrastructure, buildings or machinery and equipment used to provide municipal services with a benefit lasting beyond one year.

This year the City is also undergoing a review of our Transit operations and the survey includes multiple questions aimed at determining how to operate an efficient, effective service that caters to the needs of our residents.

The following survey should take less than 15 minutes and results will give City Council a sense of your priorities before Budget deliberations begin.

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The following chart shows the City of Moose Jaw's 2021 Budget expenditure breakdown.

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* 1. In finalizing the 2022 Budget, the City's decision-making priorities should be based on the following considerations (check all that apply).

Maintaining or increasing Capital spending.

Attracting new and/or supporting existing businesses.

Opportunities to reduce City spending.

Increasing current level of City services.

Deferring Capital spending.

Other (please specify)

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* 2. If you were making the decisions, what would your spending priorities be? Please rank from highest priority to lowest, with 1 being the highest and 9 being the lowest.

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* 3. Which of the following statements best represents your financial situation in relation to the effects of COVID-19?

My household was not negatively impacted by the pandemic and expect that to continue.

My household was negatively impacted by the pandemic and expect that impact to continue into 2022.

My household was not negatively impacted by the pandemic, but I expect that to change.

My household was negatively impacted by the pandemic but we expect that to improve in 2022.

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* 4. What challenges have you and/or your family faced throughout the pandemic? Check all that apply.

Reduction in recreation and leisure activities.

Reduction in transportation options.

Job or income loss.

Difficulty managing work/home priorities with in-home school learning.

No challenges.

Other (please specify)

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* 5. In the 2021 Budget, Council approved a $65 infrastructure levy to help fund the water main replacement program. Are you in favour of an annual levy strictly dedicated to the water main replacement program?

Yes

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* 6. Costs go up annually due to inflation. Do you think it is reasonable for the City to increase municipal taxation to recover these increased costs?

Yes

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* 7. If you managed the City of Moose Jaw which of the scenarios below best describes your mandate?

I would reduce programs & Services such that there would be no need for annual tax increases.

I would maintain programs & Services which would result in modest taxation increases each year.

I would expand programs & services to address areas where the City is not providing an adequate level of service resulting in tax increases above the level of inflation.

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* 8. The Waterworks Utility receives approximately $2.8 million dollars in funding from municipal taxation. A best practice is for utility rates to fully cover the costs of the utility. Do you agree with funding the waterworks utility with general tax revenues?

Yes

No - adjust Utility rates to recover the full cost.

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* 9. Recreation Services aim for a 50% recovery rate from the user fees they charge with the remainder of operational funding coming from municipal taxation. How do you feel about this decision?

I agree with a 50% recovery rate level via user fees.

I would increase user fees to reduce funding needed from municipal taxation.

I would decrease user fees, which would require more funding from municipal taxation.

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* 10. Do you utilize any Moose Jaw Transit services? Check all that apply.

Fixed route service.

Dial-A-Ride.

Paratransit.

Charter.

I don't use any Moose Jaw Transit services.

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* 11. If you answered "Yes", what is your primary reason for riding Moose Jaw Transit? Select all that apply.

To go to work.

To attend school.

Shopping.

Medical appointments.

No other transportation options.

Other (please specify)

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* 12. How many trips per month do you take on any Moose Jaw Transit service?

Between 1-10

Between 11-30

More than 30

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* 13. What are the obstacles preventing you from utilizing Moose Jaw Transit bus service? Check all that apply.

Buses don't start early enough in the day.

Buses don't run late enough in the evening.

Buses run too infrequently.

Limited booking availability for paratransit and/or Dial-A-Ride service.

I need a vehicle for my job.

I prefer to drive.

No bus stops close enough to my home and/or my destination.

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Are there areas/locations in the City you feel are underserved by Moose Jaw Transit?

Yes

If "Yes", please specify which areas you feel need Transit service.

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* 15. This year the City of Moose Jaw implemented Dial-A-Ride service on Saturdays in place of regular service. How do you feel about this change in service?

I like it.

I prefer regular service on Saturdays.

Doesn't matter to me.

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* 16. When could Moose Jaw Transit add more service to better suit your needs? Choose all that apply.

Weekday mornings before 7:15 a.m.

Weekday evenings after 6:30 p.m.

Saturday mornings before 10:00 a.m.

Saturdays between 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday evenings after 5:00 p.m.

Sunday mornings

Sunday afternoons

Sunday evenings

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* 17. The City of Moose Jaw offers charter bus service, with different bus sizes available to accommodate a wide range of needs. How likely are you to consider booking a charter in the future?

Very likely.

Somewhat likely.

Neither likely nor unlikely - I need more information.

Unlikely.

Very unlikely.

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* 18. If Moose Jaw Transit could change one thing that would prompt you to take a City bus, what would it be?

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* 19. In which age range do you belong?

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

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* 20. In which quadrant of the City do you live?

Northwest

Northeast

Southwest

Southeast

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* 21. Would you like to receive future updates about Moose Jaw Transit? If so, please leave your email address below.

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* 22. How would you prefer to receive important information about City programs and services? (Check all that apply)

Social Media.

Radio.

Newspaper.

In the mail.

Email.

City of Moose Jaw website.

City of Moose Jaw app.

Other (please specify)

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* 23. Which social media platforms do you utilize? (Check all that apply)

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Linked In

TikTok

I don't use any social media platforms.

Other (please specify)

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* 24. What is one change you would implement that you believe would result in a significant positive impact on the quality of life for Moose Jaw residents?