Residents can offer input on what they want in the Riverside County budget via an annual budget priorities survey, officials announced Monday.
The survey gives the opportunity for residents to spell out how taxpayer dollars should be spent across county departments and services for the upcoming fiscal year. The survey is online in English and Spanish and is available until Feb. 28.
Last fiscal year, over 24,000 residents participated in the survey, which officials reviewed before the current budget was presented to the Board of Supervisors.
“This year, our goal is to exceed last year’s turnout,” according to the county’s announcement.
Officials said the survey is part of an expanded effort to provide county residents with more opportunities to express themselves “early and often” while the budget takes shape.
“I am glad to see us continue our outreach to community members to participate during the budget process,” 4th District Supervisor and Board Chair V. Manuel Perez said in a statement. “We want to hear what is most important to you, in your county government.”
Survey participants can point out services that are in greater need in their communities, as well as shed light on spending categories they think should receive more or less funding.
The county will also host five budget workshops in April, with details to be announced soon, officials said. The workshops will take place countywide to ensure accessibility for residents spread out over the county’s vast geographic area.
The workshops are an opportunity for residents to learn about the budget process, share their perspectives and offer feedback in advance of the annual budget hearings set for June 8 and 9, officials said.
“This questionnaire is a simple way for residents to weigh in on what matters most to them,” board Vice Chair and 2nd District Supervisor Karen Spiegel said in a statement. “The budget affects our daily lives, and hearing directly from the people who live here helps guide those decisions. I encourage residents to take a few minutes to share their input.”
The results of the annual budget priorities survey will be presented during a Board of Supervisors meeting in May.
For more information about the budget survey, go to rivco.org/budget.
