First District 38 Participatory Budgeting Meeting Of 2014 Monday Night

For the second year, Councilmember Carlos Menchaca is letting residents of District 38 decide how to spend public funds in our area through participatory budgeting. This year, $2 million is on the table, and you can get involved beginning tonight, Monday, October 27 at 6:30pm at the district’s first meeting, taking place at Sunset Park High School, 153 35th Street.

If you live in the district, you’ll be able to vote on how to allocate capital funding in our neighborhoods — but before that vote, there are a series of meetings you can attend to discuss what projects you’d like to vote on.

“This year, I plan to greatly expand the role of participatory budgeting in my office,” Menchaca says. “I want to grow community engagement beyond the capital budget to include a much broader range of policy decisions, and I hope you will join me on Monday evening to learn more.”

Last year, more than 3,000 neighbors cast ballots in first round of District 38 participatory budgeting, which Menchaca notes was a new citywide record for the highest voter turnout. Winning projects included air conditioning for PS 10 and funding for street resurfacing throughout the district.

Check this map to see if you’re in District 38, and if you’re covered by Councilmember Brad Lander in District 39, be sure to find out more about participatory budgeting in your area at an upcoming meeting.