Meeting tonight to hear initial projections for the budget. Rummel has requested that CCOC talk about participatory budgeting. Here’s some info on tonight and participatory budgeting.
From Rummel:
All-
On June 7, the Common Council Organizational Committee will review the efforts of Chicago Alder Joe Moore to create a participatory budget process in ward 49 (see link below). The Council will discuss if we want to initiate a community participation model for soliciting input on the upcoming capital and operating budgets.
Tomorrow Mayor Soglin and the Council will have the first budget update from City Finance Director Dean Brasser at the Water Utility building on Olin Ave at 6p.
Alder Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, Council pro tem, says that Mayor Soglin told Council leadership he would like to convene up to 5 meetings to discuss related budget items with committees that are engaged in similar work, eg infrastructure, parks, public health/safety, community services etc. The exact clusters and number of meetings are still being determined.
I’m interested in thoughts people have on how to create an effective process.
Marsha
And here is some info from the council staff – showing off their google skills, apparently.
From: Veldran, Lisa
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 8:43 AM
To: ALL ALDERS
Cc: Soglin, Paul; Monks, Anne; Miley, Sally; Brasser, Dean; Simon, Debra
Subject: Participatory BudgetingAt last night’s CCOC meeting Ald. Marsha Rummel requested they discuss the concept of participatory budgeting at their next meeting (June 7th).
For those of you unfamiliar with participatory budgeting I am providing you with a short description below, a link to the Participatory Budgeting Project website and a link to Chicago Alderman Joe Moore’s webpage on his participatory budget initiative:
Participatory budgeting
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)Participatory budgeting is a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making, and a type of participatory democracy, in which ordinary people decide how to allocate part of a municipal or public budget. Participatory budgeting allows citizens to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending projects, and gives them the power to make real decisions about how money is spent.
Participatory budgeting generally involves several basic steps: 1) Community members identify spending priorities and select budget delegates 2) Budget delegates develop specific spending proposals, with help from experts 3) Community members vote on which proposals to fund 4) The city or institution implements the top proposals
Various studies have suggested that participatory budgeting results in more equitable public spending, higher quality of life, increased satisfaction of basic needs, greater government transparency and accountability, increased levels of public participation (especially by marginalized or poorer residents), and democratic and citizenship learning
I’d suggest looking at examples in Puerto Alegre and Bogata Columbia. I met folks from there when they were at a conference about 7 years ago, when we tried to talk Mayor Dave into doing this. That’s when he made his half attempt by having his budgeting game . . . and then he abandoned any real efforts to get input on the budget. This year’s budget is sure to be interesting with Soglin at the helm and the state and federal threats. So, stay tuned.
If you want your comments posted:
Step One: Use a real email address or name. i.e. we need to know you are a real person.
Step Two: Use the same screen name. No sock puppets.
It’s not that hard.
This is inherently elitist and undemocratic. Areas of the city like the near east side (where Brenda lives) are politically rich. People in these wealthier areas can take the time to engage in long dragged out decision making processes. They can also more likely afford to engage in public controversies without fear of reprisals.
Other areas of the city that are more working class have citizens who cannot afford to take off time from their jobs and busy lives in order to take part in a drawn out process. They can also not afford to pay baby-sitters for countless meetings.
While it might be appealing for a near east side non-profit head to have a “participatory budgeting” process, it is anything but for working class residents of other parts of the city. These people believe they are electing representatives to the city council to make these decisions, not those who are unelected but are “politically affluent.”
Brenda,
You have a great luxury in that your board allows you a great deal of leeway in taking part in public controversies. My job does not afford me such luxury.
My post is a substantive critique of participatory budgeting. I am sorry that you believe that the only opinions you think are valid are from those who have jobs that allow them to openly debate controversial topics. You are once again luck to be able to choose your own board.
It is ironic that you have no interest in sharing my critique. Can you not see why many citizens could also not openly take part in participatory decision making? You seem to be myopic about most people work life.
That is why these people like their secret ballot and decision making left in the hands of democratically elected representatives.
I work a full time job, and more. Then, I have the luxury of having time to attend meetings at night because I don’t have kids and my partner has his own interests that keep him busy. Has nothing to do with my board – they don’t afford me time to do this on work time.
Having said that. I actually agree with you, this only works if it is made accessible including free childcare, etc. There are ways to do this.