The City of Evanston is facing a very challenging fiscal budget for next year, explained Marty Lyons, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director.  In preparation for this budget, the City is launching the 2010-11 Budget Review process through a series of public meetings held throughout the community.

The public is invited to either observe or participate in these budget workshops. However, to participate in the Nov. 12-30 workshops, interested residents and business owners must have attended the November 7 workshop, which will provide valuable background, added Lyons.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

* Learn about the City s budget process and current budget challenges;
* Provide input with ideas for providing services in the most efficient, effective and economical way;
* Suggest and discuss new non-tax revenue sources; and
* Express their opinions about priorities for municipal services.

There will be three additional budget workshops before the recommendations from these are presented to a Special City Council meeting on December 7 at 7 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center:

* Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.:
* Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.; and
* Monday, November 30, 2009 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

The 2010 Fiscal Year begins March 1, 2010 and ends February 28, 2011. If residents cannot attend the workshops, they are encouraged to visit www.cityofevanston.org/budget for background information, video recordings of workshops, and an opportunity to express opinions or suggestions regarding the city s budget.