HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 5/31/2022 - Memorandum From Amanda King Re: 2023-2024 Budget Engagement PlanMEMORANDUM
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Communications & Public Involvement
215 N. Mason St.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.416.2209
fcgov.com
DATE: May 26, 2022
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Tyler Marr, Interim Deputy City Manager
FROM: Amanda King, Communications and Public Involvement Director
CC: Lawrence Pollack, Budget Director
RE: 2023-2024 Budget Engagement Plan
Bottom Line:
For the past two years, the City has created a one-year budget response to uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shift has led to three consecutive years of budget outreach and engagement. This year’s approach will be similar to
the 2022 budget engagement and shared learnings from both years’ efforts, along with other recent engagement
efforts, will help inform the 2023-2024 budget.
Background:
The City of Fort Collins has a long and successful history of including the community in its organizational planning to
guide decision-making, policies, and the delivery of City services. Alongside City Plan (Fort Collins’ comprehensive plan
for the next 10-20 years) the Strategic Plan reflects the values of the community. While City Plan articulates a long-term
community vision and growth framework, the Strategic Plan outlines short- and mid-term objectives, informs the City’s
budgeting process, and guides the implementation of the City’s full range of services.
Since 2005, the City has used the Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) process to identify the various programs and services
that should be funded to achieve different community outcomes in the Strategic Plan. BFO focuses on outcomes and
results rather than organizational structure, putting the community’s values and priorities first, and every funded budget
item has to impact at least one objective in the City’s recently adopted 2022 Strategic Plan.
Current and Future Engagement:
April – May:
o Community Survey
The annual Community Survey was released in early April.
The statistically valid survey was mailed to 3800 randomly selected households, who can
complete the paper survey or take it online. Both options versions are in English and Spanish.
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An additional opt-in online survey, available in English and Spanish, was launched in early May
for community members who did not receive a mailed survey but would still like to weigh in.
Both surveys are open through May 27, and results are weighted against current US Census data
to ensure they are representative of the community.
A feedback summary and full report are expected by the end of June to help inform the 2023-
2024 Recommended Budget.
o OurCity Page and Content Development
A 2023-2024 Budget Engagement Page was created with background information, City listening
contacts, video and document library, key dates, FAQs and news feed. Information is available in
both English and Spanish, and visitors can also request a staff presentation for their organization
or group.
Several online engagement tools are included on the page offering different options for visitors
to participate based on their time and interest.
o Engagement Toolkit
Available in English and Spanish via the OurCity page, an Engagement Toolkit was created to
serve as a facilitation guide for community members to host their own input sessions with
friends, neighbors, clubs, faith groups or other associations.
June – August:
o June 28 – Council Work Session & Budget Preview
This work session item will cover high-level assumptions in the budget, process/timeline review,
dialogue about themes emerging in the budget, and a walkthrough of the online budget
resources available to community members.
o OurCity Engagement Continues
Regular features of each Key Outcome Area will be posted on social media to promote ongoing
engagement and feedback.
A preliminary engagement report with results from the Community Survey, online and in-person
engagement will be provided to the City’s Budget Lead Team in July.
o Internal Engagement
Preliminary feedback will be shared with staff to inform the decisions made for the City
Manager’s Recommended Budget.
September-November:
o City Manger’s Recommended Budget Published to be published on September 2
An overview of what is reflected in the City Manager’s Recommended Budget and why/how
decisions were made will be shared along with the timeline and next steps.
o Continued OurCity and Council feedback collection
Shift engagement tools to solicit feedback on the City Manager’s Recommended Budget as
Council refines it to become their Adopted Budget.
o Council Work Sessions and Public Hearings:
Sept. 13 - Council Work Session #1
Sept. 20 - Public Hearing #1
Sept. 27 - Council Work Session #2
Oct. 4 - Public Hearing #2
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Oct. 11 - Council Work Session #3 (Summary of Community Engagement will be provided)
Nov. 1 - Council First Reading
Nov. 15 - Council Second Reading
Council Engagement:
Additional materials or presentation support is available upon request for Councilmembers who are interested in
hosting their own budget-focused listening sessions.