On January 22, 2021, Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie released a survey to solicit resident input on budget priorities for the ward. Please complete the SURVEY so that neighborhood needs can be reflected in Councilmember McDuffie’s budget requests to the mayor.

It is sort of a weird time to be doing a budget exercise given the obvious needs and budget challenges created by the coronavirus public health emergency. That said, we can also ask for support for neighborhood-specific items in the budget, such as support for programming Fort Circle Park or the green space in front of Food & Friends. I have previously noted that this neighborhood is fortunate to have an area development plan (sometimes referred to as a small area plan) in place that we can use as a tool to advocate for neighborhood needs. Noting that our requests are anticipated by the area development plan makes it that much easier to advocate for them (see the most recent implementation report from 2016 here). We might not get all or any of what we request, but consistent asks each year are what yields results. So please take some time to complete the survey this week.

January 22nd message from Councilmember McDuffie’s Office:

Neighbor,

Today our office released the Ward 5 FY 2022 budget priorities survey. This survey lets us know your priorities and concerns for the FY 2022 budget and guides our funding requests. Your input will focus my work over the coming months, so please take a few minutes to fill out our quick survey.

Hard copies of this survey will also be distributed to the Woodridge library, senior centers, and residential buildings in the coming weeks.

I hope you will make your voice heard in the budget process by filling out our survey.

In service,

Kenyan