Discussion · bonfire.cafe

At the downtown #budgetTO public consultation at the North St. Lawrence Market building. I have no idea why

It looks like it's kind of like a standard ward-level budget consultation but, like, 10 times bigger, and with lots of senior-level City staff (CFO, etc.)

Updates are likely to be as much about the progress of my social anxiety as City finances.

#TOpoli #TObudget #WhatHashtagIsItAnyway

A press scrum taking place on the second floor, with TV camera lights.

The large interior of the new St. Lawrence Market North Hall, set with tables, blurred for privacy.

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

The actual budget launch isn't till January. These are pre-budget consultations, something which budget chief Shelley Carroll was keen to bring back under Chow.

Key dates: https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/budget-finances/city-budget/how-to-get-involved-in-the-budget/

#TOpoli #TObudget

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

There's a table for 311 where we can ask them, quote, "anything". I can't express how excited this makes me, because I've got some BURNING QUESTIONS I e-mailed, like, two different people about and still haven't heard back from.

Anyway, mayor now giving a speech going over various budget-related accomplishments. Various downtown councillors are here along with City staff (and volunteers helping with the event).

Really glad I wolfed down a sandwich before this

#TOpoli #TObudget

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

It's all I can do not to be like, "ACTUALLY, property tax is based on the change in your property's assessed value relative to others in the area and so overall—"

Carroll: "We are the only city [of this size] in the world trying to survive on property tax." This is genuinely a surprise to me. Anyway this is probably something that is not changing in the foreseeable future, not for the better anyway.

My practical and completely serious suggestion is "mob with literal torches and pitchforks in front of Doug Ford's house".

#TOpoli #TObudget

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

"Senior city staff will be going table to table, listening in and asking questions" okay I shouldn't be here. I am, like, not a civilian. This is awkward

#TOpoli #TObudget

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

"At one point we had the lowest number of police officers per capita in North America"

I let out the tiniest "woo"

Conforti (para): you could cut the entire fire department and paramedics, close every library, and that would still leave a $150 million gap

That's peanuts, also, there are totally politicians who would absolutely do that

#TOpoli #TObudget

Neville Park

@nev@status.nevillepark.ca replied · last month

The facilitator refuses to write down my suggestion for an armed uprising and mass strikes

#TOpoli #TObudget

1+ more replies (not shown)

Canageek

@Canageek@wandering.shop replied · last month

@nev What do other cities use for funding‽

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