COMMUNITY BUDGET INPUT MEETINGS Add your voice to the discussion regarding Tacoma's budget for 2015-16 As the City of Tacoma develops its 2015-2016 Biennial Budget, members of the community are invited to participate in the following upcoming budget input meetings: Date Time Meeting Location July 24, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 5 - Birney Elementary School, 1202 S. 76th St. Tacoma, WA 98408 August 4, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 4 - Lincoln High School, 701 S. 37th St., Tacoma, WA 98418 August 7, 2014 6 - 8 p.m. District 2 - Stadium High School, 111 N. E St., Tacoma, WA 98403 Revenues are projected to grow at 2 percent, but expenses are projected to grow at a faster rate. In order to maintain the levels of service provided by the City's General Fund today, the difference between revenues and expenses is projected to be approximately $6 million in 2015-2016. This shortfall increases substantially if the City were to address deferred maintenance issues that have been delayed and provide funding for other capital and services. The City is looking for ways to close the gap between revenues and expenditures by balancing the need for savings with the effective delivery of core services. Additionally, the City is working to prioritize funding between existing services, deferred maintenance, and new and expanded services. A second series of Budget Input Meetings is anticipated to begin in mid-October, shortly after a Proposed 2015 - 2016 Biennial Budget has been transmitted to the City Council. TACOMA 2025 Add your voice to the discussion regarding Tacoma's future and the arts During the next five months, the City is inviting the community to help build a shared vision for Tacoma's future - "Tacoma 2025" - and the steps needed to achieve it. Arts & culture are one of seven key areas of focus for Tacoma 2025. Public input has been pivotal to the Tacoma 2025 strategic planning process, and the information gathered will result in a citywide strategic plan which will outline steps to achieve a shared community vision for Tacoma's future. It will also help inform decision making regarding the City's resource allocations to ensure that funding is available to actualize community priorities identified in the plan. We want you to be involved in the discussion - Tacoma 2025 will help guide our future resource allocation and budget decisions, so make sure your voice is heard! * Attend the Tacoma 2025 community-wide visioning meeting o Wednesday, July 30, 5pm reception; 6-8:30 pm workshop o Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway o Event parking available at no charge in any of the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center's garages * Join the Engage Tacoma online community forum<http://engagetacoma.mindmixer.com/> to comment on key topics and respond to other community members' ideas. This is the best and easiest way to provide much-needed feedback on the proposed ideas. http://engagetacoma.mindmixer.com * Visit the Tacoma 2025 booth at one of the many summertime events, including: o Saturday, July 26: Jazz and Blues Festival<http://www.tacomajazzfestival.com/> (1pm-9:30pm) o Sunday, July 27: Ethnic Fest<http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/ethnicfest/>, Wright Park (12 noon-7pm) o Saturday, August 9: Brew Five Three<http://www.broadwaycenter.org/events/calendar/eventdetail/48/-/brew-five-three-tacoma-s-beer-blues-festival> - Broadway between 9th and 11th (1pm-4pm) Please share this message with your family and friends - we have a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to identify a shared vision for Tacoma's future - make sure your voice is heard!