Participatory Budgeting

What is Participatory Budgeting (PB)?

Participatory Budgeting is a chance for communities to decide together how government money is spent. The process is simple: craft infrastructure improvement or project ideas and then vote on which ideas to invest in for your neighborhood.

Why is there a 2023 Citywide Participatory Budgeting (PB)?

In 2021 and 2022, the Mayor's Office allocated $2,000,000 in Capital Spending Plan funds (each year) to be distributed within the Bordeaux and North Nashville region. In 2023, the city has expanded the Participatory Budgeting Cycle to be across Nashville and Davidson County.

In December 2022, Metro’s Financial Oversight Committee recommended $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds be used for a citywide 2023 Participatory Budgeting cycle. Metro Nashville Council unanimously approved the funding in January 2023.

The steering committee will work at creating the guidelines for the process the beginning of 2023. Once they are done the Budget delegates will start developing the ballot which is expected to be completed in September 2023 and voting to happen in October and November 2023. After votes are counted, Metro will start working to implement the results.

Timeline

January 2023, Completed: Approval of funding by the Metro Council:
Resolution 2023-1947 Legislation and Resolution 2023-1947 Exhibit A
February to May, Completed: Guidelines Development and adoption
February to June 1, Completed: Idea collection (Review the ideas submitted to date)
June to August: Ballot development and adoption, completed
October to November: Vote
December: Vote counting
January 2024: Implementation of voted projects