Community members ages 12 and older can submit and vote on ideas for how to invest $1 million in city improvement projects

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is  announcing the launch of Somerville’s second cycle of the Participatory Budgeting process (www.somervillema.gov/PB), giving community members a direct say in how $1 million of city funds is allocated. Somerville residents are invited to begin submitting their ideas today, Friday, September 20. The city will begin implementing the winning projects in summer of 2025.

“Our community’s response to our first-ever round of Participatory Budgeting in 2023 was incredible, and we’re excited to once again empower Somerville residents to decide how to invest $1 million in city funds,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “Last year, community ideas led to increased food access through partnerships with nonprofits, the expansion of our bike network with Quick-Build lanes, and new shade structures at parks and bus stops to enhance comfort and safety. We also tackled cleanliness and pest control by installing more BigBelly trash cans across the city. We can’t wait to see the creative and impactful ideas that emerge from our community this year.”

Idea Eligibility and Submission 

Starting Friday, September 20, Somerville residents are invited to start submitting their ideas. Eligible ideas will serve a public benefit, are a one-time expense, cost less than $1 million, and are located on city property. 

Ideas will not be accepted if they require the city to hire additional staff, require recurring expenses, give business to a specific vendor, are inconsistent with city policies, or are located on private, state, or MBTA property.

Throughout the idea submission phase, residents can submit their ideas online, over the phone,  and in person.

• Online: www.somervillema.gov/PB
• Phone: 311 (dial 311 or 617-666-3311) 
• In Person: Submission forms are available for pickup at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) 

Timeline

The Participatory Budgeting process will be divided into three parts: 

1. First, from September 20 through November 20, residents develop and submit their ideas for funding. We’ll create opportunities for residents to learn what qualifies and to bounce around ideas with fellow community members.We encourage you to workshop your ideas with others. Participatory Budgeting processes in other cities and towns often work best when residents listen to each other and collaborate with one another.

3. Next, during winter 2025, submissions will be carefully reviewed by Budget Delegate volunteers, and Somerville city staff. Category-specific subcommittees will evaluate each idea’s need, impact, feasibility, and cost to determine the 20 ideas that will be presented for Somerville residents to vote on in the fall. 
4. Finally, starting in early April Somerville residents ages 12 and older can vote for which ideas they’d like to be funded. The ideas with the most votes will be implemented by the City starting in summer 2025, and will be funded until the $1 million is completely spent.

How Somerville Residents Can Get Involved

Throughout the Participatory Budgeting process, the community is invited to get involved via a wide array of volunteer and community engagement opportunities. Residents interested in getting hands-on experience are especially encouraged to apply to volunteer as Budget Delegates. In an update from the first cycle, this idea review process will largely take place virtually this cycle to help make it more accessible to more residents. Volunteers will work directly with city staff to review idea submissions and determine which will be voted on by their fellow residents. 

The time commitment for Budget Delegates will consist of an orientation meeting (about two hours), tentatively scheduled for Thursday, January 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Then a mix of virtual and in-person meetings with support from city staff will take place on subsequent Thursday nights from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. through Thursday, March 13, 2025. 

General volunteer opportunities are also available to help get the word out and share the eligibility guidelines via outreach activities including stopping by businesses and knocking on home doors, event tabling, public speaking, and more. 

Sign up to receive the Participatory Budgeting E-Newsletter to stay on top of all the process news, events, dates, and volunteer opportunities: www.somervillema.gov./PB