Public participation in the city's 2012 budget consultation was disappointing, according to city communications manager Mike Davis.
A total of 387 people filled out surveys, 72 completed an online poll and 20 attended an open house earlier this month. The results of the feedback process were presented to city council's committee of whole on Monday.
"I've had conversations with Victoria, Kamloops and Kelowna and they are all experiencing the same thing," Davis said. "We find there is a lot interest come February, when the budgets are being set. The challenge is to get people to take part."
Davis said he believes the city can learn from the experience, which did have a greater response than in 2010.
"We need to reassure the public ... that this feedback matters," Davis added.
Online respondents identified roads, policing, fire services, parks and recreation facilities topped voter priorities.
Coun. Cameron Stolz said results may be statistically invalid, and questioned if the city should continue with its aggressive consultation process.
"How much money are we spending doing engagement, and fewer people are taking part," Stolz said.
The total budget for budget consultation is $10,000, Davis said.
Coun. Debora Munoz said the city needs to learn from the myPG process, which had over 6,000 people participate.
"We need to engage early, engage often and show results from it," Munoz said.
The full report is available online at
www.princegeorge.ca.
