The City has turned to social media in an effort to involve more Kamloops residents in budget meetings.

As councillors hammer out the 2013 budget, the public can participate in new ways, including live-streaming video, live chat and Twitter discussion with the hashtag #kamloopsbudget.

It's all being gathered together at www.kamloops.ca/2013budget.

"With the addition of social media and live-streaming video into our budget meetings, we hope to reach citizens that may not otherwise participate," Mayor Peter Milobar said in a press release.   

In addition, three public meetings take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Parkside Lounge at Interior Savings Centre:

* Jan. 22: parks, recreation and cultural services.

* Jan. 29: public works and sustainability.

* Feb. 5: development and engineer services and community and corporate affairs.

Each meeting will be taped and the video posted to the City’s website.

Final deliberations take place April 9 at 1 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall. This meeting — taking into account public input — will determine the final tax rate for 2013.