With only a week left for Angelenos to participate in the Mayor's 2013 Budget Challenge, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council hopes to boost participation in the annual survey. The board will reach out to community members at events like the Old L.A. Certified Farmer's Market, where those whofill out a survey will be entered in a random giveaway conducted and sponsored by neighborhood stakeholders.
The survey asks participants to produce a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-2014 by trimming the anticipated $216 million deficit.
Survey participants are required to enter their ZIP code before starting the challenge. The introductory segment of the survey asks participants to prioritize city services and spending initiatives. Following that, participants must decide whether they will cut, increase or make no changes to various city departments, including animal services, public safety and transportation.
Click here to take the challenge.
Gloria Castro, of the HHPNC, said it is important for locals to participate in the survey because it informs the neighborhood councils of the community's budget priorities.
"Whether people like the mayor or not, the results of the budget survey are divided up by zip code for neighborhood councils, and it can allow the neighborhood council to determine the concerns or priorities with respect to how people would like to see money spent," Castro said. "We really would like to have some input on where people want money spent."
Physical copies of the survey must be delivered to the city by Wednesday, February, 27.
Amado said that both English and Spanish-language versions of the survey will be available at four locations in the coming week.
Participants can pick up budget surveys in person at the following locations:
- Thursday, Feb. 21 from 6:30-9 p.m.- At Highland Park Adult Senior Center, 6152 N. Figueroa St.
- Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 6:30-8:30pm - At Highland Park Food Truck Festival, at 6132 N. Figueroa St.
- Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 6:30-8:30pm - At Old L.A. Certified Farmer's Market, between Marmion Way and North Figueroa Street on Avenue 58.
- Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 6:30-8:30pm - At Food 4 Less, 5100 N. Figueroa St.
This Story was updated to reflect the fact that the giveaay is not sponsored by the HHPNC, but by Highland Park residents.
