Town of Paradise - Budget Talks

Budget Talks 2023

The Town of Paradise is preparing the municipal budget for 2023 and we want you, our residents, to be part of the process.

With Budget Talks 2023 we want to collect meaningful input as we work to strike the right balance between maintaining and enhancing our services, programs and infrastructure.

This budget survey will only take 10-15 minutes to complete (and it does not collect identifying information such as name, email address or IP address.) The tabulated results from the survey will be reviewed by Council and Town staff and included in the budget process.

Thanks for being part of Budget Talks 2023 and taking the time to share your input with us!

The deadline for responses is: October 11, 2022.

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* 1. How many years have you lived in the Town of Paradise?

Less than 2 years

Between 2 and 5 years

Between 5 and 10 years

Between 10 and 15 years

15 years or more

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* 2. Please rate the following services based on how well you think the Town is delivering them.

	Very Satisfied	Somewhat Satisfied	Neutral	Somewhat Unsatisfied	Very Unsatisfied
Snow clearing	Snow clearing Very Satisfied	Snow clearing Somewhat Satisfied	Snow clearing Neutral	Snow clearing Somewhat Unsatisfied	Snow clearing Very Unsatisfied
Road maintenance	Road maintenance Very Satisfied	Road maintenance Somewhat Satisfied	Road maintenance Neutral	Road maintenance Somewhat Unsatisfied	Road maintenance Very Unsatisfied
Providing and maintaining parks	Providing and maintaining parks Very Satisfied	Providing and maintaining parks Somewhat Satisfied	Providing and maintaining parks Neutral	Providing and maintaining parks Somewhat Unsatisfied	Providing and maintaining parks Very Unsatisfied
Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling	Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling Very Satisfied	Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling Somewhat Satisfied	Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling Neutral	Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling Somewhat Unsatisfied	Providing active transportation infrastructure for walking and cycling Very Unsatisfied
Recycling	Recycling Very Satisfied	Recycling Somewhat Satisfied	Recycling Neutral	Recycling Somewhat Unsatisfied	Recycling Very Unsatisfied
Garbage	Garbage Very Satisfied	Garbage Somewhat Satisfied	Garbage Neutral	Garbage Somewhat Unsatisfied	Garbage Very Unsatisfied
Public engagement	Public engagement Very Satisfied	Public engagement Somewhat Satisfied	Public engagement Neutral	Public engagement Somewhat Unsatisfied	Public engagement Very Unsatisfied
Customer service	Customer service Very Satisfied	Customer service Somewhat Satisfied	Customer service Neutral	Customer service Somewhat Unsatisfied	Customer service Very Unsatisfied
Municipal enforcement	Municipal enforcement Very Satisfied	Municipal enforcement Somewhat Satisfied	Municipal enforcement Neutral	Municipal enforcement Somewhat Unsatisfied	Municipal enforcement Very Unsatisfied
Permits and inspections	Permits and inspections Very Satisfied	Permits and inspections Somewhat Satisfied	Permits and inspections Neutral	Permits and inspections Somewhat Unsatisfied	Permits and inspections Very Unsatisfied
Fire services	Fire services Very Satisfied	Fire services Somewhat Satisfied	Fire services Neutral	Fire services Somewhat Unsatisfied	Fire services Very Unsatisfied
Sewer and storm water management	Sewer and storm water management Very Satisfied	Sewer and storm water management Somewhat Satisfied	Sewer and storm water management Neutral	Sewer and storm water management Somewhat Unsatisfied	Sewer and storm water management Very Unsatisfied
Recreation programs	Recreation programs Very Satisfied	Recreation programs Somewhat Satisfied	Recreation programs Neutral	Recreation programs Somewhat Unsatisfied	Recreation programs Very Unsatisfied
Town events	Town events Very Satisfied	Town events Somewhat Satisfied	Town events Neutral	Town events Somewhat Unsatisfied	Town events Very Unsatisfied

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* 3. The Town road crews work hard to keep streets clear and safe from snow and ice as soon as 5 cm of snow has accumulated on the road surface. Considering current Snow and Ice Control operations provided by the Town of Paradise (Refer to Paradise.ca/Snowclearing), would you choose to increase, decrease or maintain funding to the service?

Increase

Decrease

Maintain

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* 4. Improvements to the design, repair and maintenance of roads and sidewalks are ongoing to ensure safe and efficient transportation in Paradise. Considering current road and sidewalk maintenance operations provided by the Town of Paradise (Refer to Paradise.ca/Roads/) please indicate your level of agreement/disagreement with the following statements regarding these services.

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Slightly Agree	Neutral	Slightly Disagree	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks.	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Strongly Agree	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Agree	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Slightly Agree	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Neutral	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Slightly Disagree	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Disagree	The Town of Paradise should increase funding for roads and sidewalks. Strongly Disagree
More sidewalks are needed in the Town.	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Strongly Agree	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Agree	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Slightly Agree	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Neutral	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Slightly Disagree	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Disagree	More sidewalks are needed in the Town. Strongly Disagree
The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities.	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Strongly Agree	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Agree	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Slightly Agree	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Neutral	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Slightly Disagree	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Disagree	The Town should decrease funding for roads and sidewalks and spend more on other Town priorities. Strongly Disagree
There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise.	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Strongly Agree	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Agree	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Slightly Agree	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Neutral	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Slightly Disagree	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Disagree	There is traffic congestion in the Town of Paradise. Strongly Disagree
Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same.	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Strongly Agree	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Agree	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Slightly Agree	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Neutral	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Slightly Disagree	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Disagree	Funding for roads and sidewalks should remain the same. Strongly Disagree

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* 5. Like all municipalities, the Town of Paradise is faced with rising costs to provide services. Costs are rising and continue to rise. In order for the Town to deliver services, what do you consider to be the top three priorities to be addressed by Council in the 2023 Municipal Budget? As a resident of Paradise, what would be the least important?

#1 Priority:

#2 Priority:

#3 Priority:

Least important initiative:

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* 6. Are there any existing services you would like to see the Town reduce or eliminate?

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* 7. Have you participated in or attended any recreation programs or events in the past year?

Yes

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* 8. How do you typically hear about recreation programs or events?

Town of Paradise Website

Social Media (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter)

Shoreline Newspaper

Friends/Family

Other (please specify)

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* 9. What types of recreation and community programs would you like to see offered in Paradise?

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* 10. The Town is legislatively required to present a balanced budget; revenues must equal expenses. To support additional services and address rising costs, which option would you prefer?

Increase user fees for services that already have fees

Increase property taxes

Introduce new user fees for some services that currently have no fees

Reduce levels of service

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* 11. It is estimated to cost $35 Million to build a pool in the Town of Paradise. To pursue this project, the Town would need to secure significant funding contributions from our Provincial and / or Federal Governments. The annual fee to maintain and operate the pool each year would cost $2 Million. In order to financially support the operations, taxes would have to increase in the Town. Would you support a tax increase of 6% to pay for a pool for the Town?

Strongly support a tax increase for the pool

Support a tax increase for the pool

Neutral

Do not support a tax increase for the pool

Strongly do not support a tax increase for the pool

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* 12. In 2021, it was identified that there was a need for greater housing diversity. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the statements below.

	Strongly Agree	Agree	Neutral	Disagree	Strongly Disagree
The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing.	The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing. Strongly Agree	The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing. Agree	The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing. Neutral	The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing. Disagree	The Town of Paradise needs more seniors housing. Strongly Disagree
The Town should promote more affordable housing.	The Town should promote more affordable housing. Strongly Agree	The Town should promote more affordable housing. Agree	The Town should promote more affordable housing. Neutral	The Town should promote more affordable housing. Disagree	The Town should promote more affordable housing. Strongly Disagree
The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments.	The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments. Strongly Agree	The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments. Agree	The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments. Neutral	The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments. Disagree	The Town should have a zone just for high quality townhomes, and apartments. Strongly Disagree
There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted	There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted Strongly Agree	There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted Agree	There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted Neutral	There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted Disagree	There should be an area where tiny homes are permitted Strongly Disagree
There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted	There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted Strongly Agree	There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted Agree	There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted Neutral	There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted Disagree	There should be an area where mini-homes are permitted Strongly Disagree

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* 13. What type of new shopping opportunities would you like to see in Paradise?

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* 14. How can we beautify the Town? Do you see areas that need attention, such as specific parks, trails or Town facilities which might benefit from any of the following beautification efforts?

	Yes	No
A new coat of paint	A new coat of paint Yes	A new coat of paint No
Mural	Mural Yes	Mural No
Landscaping (greenery or flowers)	Landscaping (greenery or flowers) Yes	Landscaping (greenery or flowers) No
Streetscaping (roadway design)	Streetscaping (roadway design) Yes	Streetscaping (roadway design) No
Spring clean-ups	Spring clean-ups Yes	Spring clean-ups No
Improve lighting	Improve lighting Yes	Improve lighting No

Please indicate the location for your preferred beautification work

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* 15. Art and Culture is essential to creating a sense of community. The Town of Paradise would like to support the creation, conservation and preservation of artwork, histories, collections and traditions. What type of art or culture would you like to see more of in the Town of Paradise?

Music

Dance

Folk Art

Painting

Sculptures

Storytelling

Costumes

Other (please specify)

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* 16. Waste management includes the Automated Collection Program, a Recycling Program and services like Bulk Collections and the Christmas tree drop-off. Considering the extent of these services (Refer to Paradise.ca/Garbage), would you choose to increase, decrease or maintain funding to the service?

Increase

Decrease

Maintain

Question Title

* 17. The Town always encourages reducing the amount of waste going into landfills. How often do you do the following?

	Always	Usually	Sometimes	Rarely	Never
Recycle beverage containers	Recycle beverage containers Always	Recycle beverage containers Usually	Recycle beverage containers Sometimes	Recycle beverage containers Rarely	Recycle beverage containers Never
Recycle plastics and containers	Recycle plastics and containers Always	Recycle plastics and containers Usually	Recycle plastics and containers Sometimes	Recycle plastics and containers Rarely	Recycle plastics and containers Never
Recycle Paper/Cardboard	Recycle Paper/Cardboard Always	Recycle Paper/Cardboard Usually	Recycle Paper/Cardboard Sometimes	Recycle Paper/Cardboard Rarely	Recycle Paper/Cardboard Never
Compost	Compost Always	Compost Usually	Compost Sometimes	Compost Rarely	Compost Never

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* 18. The Town partners with Metrobus to offer public transit weekdays during peak hours and on Saturdays between the Paradise Double Ice Complex and the Avalon Mall in St. John’s (Refer to Paradise.ca/Metrobus). Considering this level of Public Transit available to residents, would you choose to increase, decrease or maintain funding to the service?

Increase

Decrease

Maintain

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* 19. Do you suggest any other locations that should have a Metrobus stop?

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* 20. Please tell us how we can better plan and implement public engagement activities. If you were to engage with the Town, please rate your level of comfort in engaging with the Town of Paradise: 1-Very comfortable and 5-Least comfortable.

	1	2	3	4	5
Participating in a focus group or public meeting	Participating in a focus group or public meeting 1	Participating in a focus group or public meeting 2	Participating in a focus group or public meeting 3	Participating in a focus group or public meeting 4	Participating in a focus group or public meeting 5
Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email	Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email 1	Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email 2	Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email 3	Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email 4	Providing feedback to the engagement@paradise.ca email 5
Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts	Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts 1	Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts 2	Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts 3	Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts 4	Contributing through social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook and Instagram) to discussions or sharing posts 5
Online survey	Online survey 1	Online survey 2	Online survey 3	Online survey 4	Online survey 5
Observing council meetings	Observing council meetings 1	Observing council meetings 2	Observing council meetings 3	Observing council meetings 4	Observing council meetings 5

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* 21. Are you availing of the Town's online services?

	Yes	No
Use the Recreation portal to register for programs	Use the Recreation portal to register for programs Yes	Use the Recreation portal to register for programs No
Follow the Paradise Plow Tracker during snow clearing events	Follow the Paradise Plow Tracker during snow clearing events Yes	Follow the Paradise Plow Tracker during snow clearing events No
Pay my taxes online	Pay my taxes online Yes	Pay my taxes online No
Access Town website for permit and license applications	Access Town website for permit and license applications Yes	Access Town website for permit and license applications No

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* 22. Since 2020, due to the global pandemic, the Town moved several services to online. Are there other services you would like to see offered online?

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* 23. The Town runs its operations in a sustainable manner to encourage residents and other stakeholders to do likewise. How important to you is it that the Town continue to invest in and pursue environmentally progressive strategies?

Not important

Somewhat important

Important

Fairly important

Very important

Town of Paradise - Budget Talks

Budget Talks 2023

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* 1. How many years have you lived in the Town of Paradise?

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* 2. Please rate the following services based on how well you think the Town is delivering them.

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* 6. Are there any existing services you would like to see the Town reduce or eliminate?

Question Title

* 7. Have you participated in or attended any recreation programs or events in the past year?

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* 8. How do you typically hear about recreation programs or events?

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* 9. What types of recreation and community programs would you like to see offered in Paradise?

Question Title

* 10. The Town is legislatively required to present a balanced budget; revenues must equal expenses. To support additional services and address rising costs, which option would you prefer?

Question Title

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* 12. In 2021, it was identified that there was a need for greater housing diversity. Please indicate if you agree or disagree with the statements below.

Question Title

* 13. What type of new shopping opportunities would you like to see in Paradise?

Question Title

* 14. How can we beautify the Town? Do you see areas that need attention, such as specific parks, trails or Town facilities which might benefit from any of the following beautification efforts?

Question Title

* 15. Art and Culture is essential to creating a sense of community. The Town of Paradise would like to support the creation, conservation and preservation of artwork, histories, collections and traditions. What type of art or culture would you like to see more of in the Town of Paradise?

Question Title

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* 17. The Town always encourages reducing the amount of waste going into landfills. How often do you do the following?

Question Title

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* 19. Do you suggest any other locations that should have a Metrobus stop?

Question Title

* 20. Please tell us how we can better plan and implement public engagement activities. If you were to engage with the Town, please rate your level of comfort in engaging with the Town of Paradise: 1-Very comfortable and 5-Least comfortable.

Question Title

* 21. Are you availing of the Town's online services?

Question Title

* 22. Since 2020, due to the global pandemic, the Town moved several services to online. Are there other services you would like to see offered online?

Question Title

* 23. The Town runs its operations in a sustainable manner to encourage residents and other stakeholders to do likewise. How important to you is it that the Town continue to invest in and pursue environmentally progressive strategies?

Question Title

* 24. Thank you for participating in this survey. If you have any other comments, please provide them below.