Budget survey results released by the Town of Ponoka show that neighbourhood safety is the number one priority for town residents.
The survey was conducted several weeks ago during an open house budget deliberation process. There were a total of 265 questionnaires completed either in hard copies or online. The top 10 priorities collated from the survey results are as follows:
Safe neighbourhoods
Access to healthcare for seniors
Trained, professional fire and rescue services
Road maintenance such as pothole repairs and snow removal
Recreation - community facility
Develop a long-term strategy for revenue generation and debt management
Services and infrastructure
Good utilities
Upgraded or new parks and recreation facilities
Walkable community.
How would you spend $20,000 or add $50 to your taxes in 2016?
For the above question there were several areas identified in the results. The survey results state that there were 25 mentions on snow removal and 23 mentions on recreation and a recreation multiplex.
These are the other mentions:Improved/expanded trail system,
Mobile audio system,
Bicycle racks and rules for cyclists and sharing trails,
Photo radar,
Walking trail to the Ponoka Legion and Calnash Ag Events Centre,
More cycling trails - do not need to be paved,
Continue with snow removal,
Continue, or add, more funding for seniors transportation such as the Wheelchair Van Society and FCSS.
Other areas identified included a need to revitalize the downtown area and have a new area, design and new cottage businesses.