Civic Engagement: Establishing a commission to increase civic engagement
This proposal calls for creating a Civic Engagement Commission to implement a citywide participatory budgeting program. Participatory budgeting is currently isolated to a handful of City Council districts, allowing residents to vote on how their City Council member uses their discretionary funds. For example, through participatory budgeting, a local resident can give direct input on whether funds will be spent on a soccer field or to purchase air conditioners for schools. This Civic Engagement Commission would look to expand participatory budgeting citywide no later than the Fiscal Year beginning on July 1, 2020, and establish a participatory budgeting advisory committee.