St. Paul mayor asks for residents' ideas for 2019 budget

Attention, St. Paul: It's budget season in the capital city, and the public is invited to weigh in.

Seven events at coffeeshops, restaurants and brewpubs across St. Paul this month will give residents a chance to learn about and offer ideas for the city's 2019 budget.

"How we budget and spend our money is our clearest and most important opportunity to demonstrate what we value as a community," Mayor Melvin Carter said in a statement Friday.

"I invite everyone to join the conversation and help shape the city's 2019 budget as we move forward together."

The first session is scheduled for July 13 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Golden Thyme Coffee, 921 Selby Av.

Carter is crafting his first budget as mayor and will submit his recommendations to the City Council at the end of the summer. His budget address is scheduled for Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at Washington Technology Magnet Middle School.

The 2018 budget, which the council passed in December, is $563 million.

For more information about the seven budget input sessions and the mayor's August budget address, visit bit.ly/2KBeczH.