Blue Ash seeks citizen input on budget process

Blue Ash seeks input on budget process

Coinciding with the work underway between Blue Ash and local government advisors Jon Johnson and Chris Fabian, an open house is
scheduled for 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, in the Council Chambers of the Blue Ash Municipal & Safety Center, 4343 Cooper Road. This open house will be informal and will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the budget prioritization process underway. The local government advisors will be in town and at the open house to answer questions directly from residents and representatives from the city also will be on hand to talk with residents. A unique and fun interactive opportunity also will be available at the open house where residents may "cast their vote" and invest a specified virtual dollar amount as to what activities of their local government they deem most important and "valuable."

Residents should remember that a station has been set up at the recreation center, through about April 2, near the Café area, providing an opportunity for to spend a "virtual" $100 in valuing various defined goals and objectives of local government. It's a fun and simple exercise that will take only a few minutes to complete - but the results will be valuable to city hall. The station set up at the recreation center will differ
from the interactive activity planned for the open house - residents are encouraged to participate in both "valuing" activities.

Blue Ash began its work with the ICMA local government advisors in late January on this process that will help the city evaluate and prioritize services as a way to assist in budgetary planning process. ICMA is the major professional and educational source for chief-appointed managers and administrators in cities, towns,
counties and regional entities throughout the world. Though not directly a part of the prioritization process, a supplemental activity in the form of a citizen survey, via telephone, also will be conducted in coming weeks by the Institute for Policy Research of the University of Cincinnati. IPR will randomly poll about 500 Blue
Ash adults in this survey, with many questions tied directly to the prioritization process.

Questions regarding the process should be directed to the city manager's office at 745-8510 or via e-mail to administration@blueash.com.