In March 2022, applications opened online for idea submissions and residents were encouraged to get creative. Each application explained how the project benefits the community and its location. As a result, residents from each ward submitted and voted to approve the following projects for the City to implement:

Ward A - Greenville
$32,000 to create family literacy, writing, and computer workshops
$10,000 in Martiniak Enright park improvements
$8,000 to construct a water fountain in Bayside Park

Ward B - West Side
$50,000 to plant trees along West Side Avenue and multiple other Ward B locations, as decided by residents

Ward C - Journal Square
$50,000 to plant trees along Newark Avenue and additional locations throughout Ward C

Ward D - Heights
$40,000 to plant trees in the Heights and other locations throughout Ward D
$5,000 to build a bus shelter at the intersection of Palisade Avenue and Congress Street

Ward E - Downtown
$30,000 to include more planters at crosswalks throughout downtown for added safety and beautification purposes
$15,000 to improve the playground on Merseles Street near Firehouse 5
$5,000 to add water fountains in J. Owen Grundy Park

Ward F - Bergen Lafayette and Downtown
$30,000 to plant more trees in various locations, as chosen by residents of Ward F
$15,000 to support the Big Brother, Big Sister Program.
$5,000 to construct a water fountain in Ercel F. Webb Park




WHAT IS PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING?

Participatory budgeting is a transparent process where residents submit and vote on project ideas and initiatives they want to see funded in their communities. Residents will vote on ideas in their Ward and the winners are funded in this year's city budget.

PILOT PROGRAM

The Participatory Budget Pilot Program has been created to directly involve residents in the City’s spending decisions. To encourage residents to get involved, residents will nominate projects for up to $50,000 in funding.

GOAL

The goal is to fund community projects that residents want and need for the betterment of their neighborhood, whether a new playground, after school programs, or other community initiative.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

The online submission process involves answering questions:
How will the project benefit the community?
How will the project benefit the location?

Residents are encouraged to submit pictures to support their proposal further, so get creative!

WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE SUBMISSIONS?

The City departments will then assist with consolidating similar ideas and further developing them by assigning appropriate scopes, timelines, and costs.

In addition to idea submissions, the pilot program will allow for more shared context as to how the municipal budget works, how much projects cost, and what lies within the City’s jurisdiction versus other government entities, such as the County or State.

HOW TO SUBMIT IDEAS

Residents will be offered a virtual tutorial as well as hard-copy educational materials ahead of the voting period for residents who want to participate. The program will help educate the public on the budgetary process, which can often be difficult, and empower residents to be actively involved in the process using convenient and easy-to-use technology.