The Village of Wellington recently announced the launch of multiple resident engagement interactive budgeting tools available throughout the months of July and August. These include Balancing Act and Taxpayer Receipt, the Budget Challenge online survey and Flashvote.
The first release on July 8 included two innovative budgeting tools, Balancing Act and Taxpayer Receipt, for the fiscal year 2025 budget season. These interactive platforms empower residents by providing them with comprehensive information and opportunities for active participation in the budget development process.
Balancing Act offers residents a hands-on experience in exploring the fiscal year 2025 proposed General Fund budget. By modifying allocated funding and witnessing the real-time impact on the overall budget, users gain valuable insights into the trade-offs and considerations inherent in budget planning. This interactive simulation fosters a deeper understanding of Wellington’s budgeting process, building trust in the allocation of funds, and encouraging resident input and recommendations.
In addition to Balancing Act, Taxpayer Receipt provides residents with an unofficial, itemized receipt showcasing how the village spends tax dollars. Taxpayer Receipt offers a transparent breakdown of programs and services supported by residents’ tax contributions, ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending.
“We are excited to continue the use of Balancing Act and Taxpayer Receipt, two essential tools that enhance resident engagement in the budgeting process,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said. “These tools not only provide residents with a deeper understanding of how their tax dollars are spent but also offer them the opportunity to actively shape the future of our community by sharing their perspectives and recommendations.”
The Budget Challenge online survey will open July 17 following the Wellington Village Council’s consideration of the proposed fiscal year 2025 TRIM (truth-in-millage) proposed budget. This online survey focuses on residents’ priorities and considerations and will be available at www.wellingtonfl.gov through Aug. 1, when the Flashvote budget survey will open.
These multiple platforms expand outreach and engagement opportunities. Residents are encouraged to visit the dedicated page at www.wellingtonfl.gov/balancingact to access both the Balancing Act online budget simulation tool and Taxpayer Receipt. They will find detailed instructions and user-friendly features that will help them explore different budget scenarios. Web page information for the Budget Challenge and Flashvote will be available as they are released.
Residents are also invited to attend the three budget hearings on Aug. 13, Sept. 3 and Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Village Hall (12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). These hearings offer an ideal platform to learn more about the village budget and provide input that will be considered before the final budget adoption.
According to Barnes, Wellington remains committed to fostering transparency, resident engagement and effective public spending. With the help of these outreach options, the village empowers its residents to become informed advocates for the services and programs they value most.
