Participatory Budgeting

Saratoga Springs Finance Department is launching a Participatory Budget pilot project in Spring of 2022. Participatory budgeting (PB) “is a democratic process in which community members decide how to spend part of a public budget. The New York Times calls PB “revolutionary civics in action”— it deepens democracy, builds stronger communities, and creates a more equitable distribution of public resources.” (https://www.participatorybudgeting.org/what-is-pb/)

Our goals for Participatory Budgeting in Saratoga Springs, NY are:

1. Make our local government more inclusive: Our goal with PB in Saratoga Springs is to expand and diversify participation in our city’s budget process.

2. Have meaningful social and community impact: Our goal is to listen to needs of our community members and utilize PB to affect meaningful change.

3. Promote sustainable public good: Our goal is to make sustainable decisions that promote the long-term future and well-being of the residents of Saratoga Springs, NY.

4. Create easy and seamless civic engagement: Create another welcoming space for residents to become engaged, fostering a “contagious” civic environment

City residents and nonprofits are invited to submit project proposals for consideration. Funding for selected proposals will be through a budget assignment not to exceed 0.25% of the city’s general fund budget, subject to available City funds.

The Participatory Budget Committee will review project proposals, assist applicants with submissions, and determine a list of finalists to be voted on by the public. Winning proposals shall be reviewed and recommended by the Commissioner of Finance; final project funding shall be voted on by the City Council.

Apply to be part of the Participatory Budget Committee PB Committee Application

Submit a Project Proposal PB PROJECT PROPOSAL FORM

Review the Participatory Budgeting Guidebook PB Saratoga Springs Guidebook

Attend an upcoming Participatory Budget Meeting Calendar

Participatory Budget Committee - To be announced in May 2022

For More Information

Participatory Budgeting in Saratoga Springs PB Background Information

Participatory Budgeting PowerPoint PB PowerPoint

The Participatory Budgeting Project https://www.participatorybudgeting.org/

This is the leading organization for participatory budgeting advocacy in the United States.

City of Saratoga Springs Contacts

Commissioner of Finance Minita Sanghvi