By Bill Parry
Two more City Council members are introducing participatory budgeting to their districts.
Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) and Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) will give their constituents a say in how $1 million in discretionary funding is spent. joining over 22 other Council members citywide.
“This will be a transformative moment in the 22nd District,” Constantinides said. His District covers Astoria, Long Island City and parts of Jackson Heights.
“For the first time, residents will directly be able to make decisions about how taxpayer money is spent. It is my hope that this will make government more transparent and accessible to the people.”
The new city budgeting program began three years ago and has seen the participation of 18,000 resident with 55 capital projects totaling $14.5 million. The process involves a series of public meetings that feed into the city’s annual budget cycle.
Starting this month, community members can attend neighborhood assemblies to learn more and brainstorm capital project ideas. In Constantinides’ 21st District, the first of four public meetings will take place Oct. 22 starting at 7 p.m. at PS 234, at 30-15 29th St. in Astoria.
Over the course of the four public meetings, participants will learn about the budget and then meet in small groups to brainstorm project ideas. Volunteers will then transform these ideas into full project proposals. The participants will then vote on which projects they want to see funded. Projects that get the most votes and are within the funds available will be submitted to the City Council for approval.
In Ferreras’ 22nd District, that covers Corona, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and part of Jackson Heights, the public meetings have already begun.
“The potential impact of participatory budgeting and the contribution of community members is immense, socially and economically,” Ferreras said. “I’m excited to bring this to my district and hope it’s the beginning of a long-term relationship with government, where my constituents become more involved in the decisions that affect this community and New York City.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at baprry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
