Your Voice Is Wanted To Help City Officials Plan The Future

Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker will make a presentation to the Yakima City Council on Tuesday talking about her priorities and the challenges ahead to improve life in the city. The presentation is called "Community at a crossroads." It spells out the need to make some tough decisions that will help the city survive the future.

YOUR INPUT IS VITAL TO LETTING CITY LEADERS KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

In the presentation Baker will talk about her work over the first 6 months on the job. Baker says she's 'setting the stage for a vibrant Yakima' by reducing homelessness and crime and increasing lighting to create safe infrastructure as well as fire prevention. But she knows there's a big budget challenge ahead. According to a press release city officials are asking for input about budget priorities through a new survey that's open until mid-April.

TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY

Yakima City Manager Vicki Baker says "the City is facing some very difficult budget challenges and the City Council needs help from the community to make tough decisions."
The survey asks residents, through a series of questions if they prefer raising taxes or cutting services. Baker says city projections show the city will bring in about $9 million less in tax revenue by 2026 meaning either services will be cut or taxes raised.
Big decisions need to be made and will be made because by law the city must have a balanced budget.
You still have time to take the survey available until April 30.

YOU'LL SOON SEE CITY OFFICIALS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS

Along with the survey, the City will have staff at several community events and other locations over the next month  to help people take the survey. Baker will also be making presentations about the survey at various locations in early April, including three upcoming Town Hall meetings.