Product Evaluation Survey

With the help of an online survey tool, City of Somerville, MA has put a program in place to understand constituent budget priorities and allow residents to make suggestions for cutting cots or increasing revenue.  This is a great example of how an organization can facilitate conversations with stakeholders about important issues.  City of Somerville has won eGovernment awards for going beyond guidelines set by Common Cause Massachusetts, a program working hard to promote citizen engagement and provide increased transparency and accountability in municipal government through the use of the internet.  The budget survey asks where residents think the city should cut or increase spending, and how they think the city can accomplish budget changes.  The City of Somerville has an entire website linking to 2009-2010 budget information, Financial  Advisory Committee briefings, and other relevant state and federal pages.  With the promise to continue to update these new pages, residents can get the information they need to make strong suggestions to the City.