DAVE BIGGERS FOR MAYOR

Version: 2.0.1 | Last Updated: October 12, 2025

Participatory Budgeting Process Guide

How Louisville Residents Will Directly Control $15 Million Annually

Investment: $15,000,000 annually ($577,000 per district)
Your Power: YOU propose. YOU debate. YOU vote. YOU decide.

—

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. What is Participatory Budgeting?
2. Louisville’s 26 Metro Council Districts
3. Annual Timeline & Cycle
4. How to Submit a Project Proposal
5. Project Evaluation Criteria
6. Community Deliberation Process
7. Voting Mechanics
8. Implementation & Accountability
9. Success Stories from Other Cities
10. Frequently Asked Questions

—

WHAT IS PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING?

Traditional budgeting: Politicians decide how to spend your tax dollars behind closed doors.

Participatory budgeting: YOU decide directly. Real democracy, real power, real results.

How It Works in Louisville

EACH of the 26 Metro Council districts gets $577,000 to spend on community projects.

YOU propose ideas → Experts cost them out → Community debates → YOU vote → City implements winning projects

What Makes This Different?

✅ Binding Vote – Not advisory. If you vote for it, we build it.
✅ Real Money – $6M annually, guaranteed in the budget
✅ Full Transparency – Every proposal, every vote, every dollar tracked online
✅ Universal Participation – Anyone 14+ who lives, works, or goes to school in the district can vote
✅ Digital + In-Person – Vote online, by phone, or at community centers

Proven Results

New York City: 706 projects funded, $300+ million invested since 2011

• Playgrounds, street improvements, technology upgrades, community gardens
• 300,000+ residents participate annually
• 90% of funded projects completed on time

Boston: $2.4M annually across 4 districts since 2021

• Youth sports facilities, public art, park improvements
• 7,000+ residents participate annually

Louisville will be the largest city in Kentucky to implement participatory budgeting.

—

LOUISVILLE’S 26 METRO COUNCIL DISTRICTS

Each district receives $577,000 annually to spend on local projects.

District Boundaries (Following Metro Council clusters)

District 1: West Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 1, 2, 15
• Neighborhoods: Shawnee, Parkland, California, Portland, Russell
• Population: ~130,000
• Budget: $577,000

District 2: South Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 10, 11, 12
• Neighborhoods: Okolona, Highview, Fern Creek
• Population: ~140,000
• Budget: $577,000

District 3: Southwest Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 13, 14, 16
• Neighborhoods: Shively, Pleasure Ridge Park, Valley Station
• Population: ~135,000
• Budget: $577,000

District 4: East Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 8, 9, 18
• Neighborhoods: St. Matthews, Jeffersontown, Middletown
• Population: ~125,000
• Budget: $577,000

District 5: Central/Northeast Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 3, 4, 5
• Neighborhoods: Highlands, Clifton, Crescent Hill, Butchertown
• Population: ~120,000
• Budget: $577,000

District 6: Southeast Louisville

• Metro Council Districts: 6, 7, 17
• Neighborhoods: Beechmont, Auburndale, Fairdale, Newburg
• Population: ~120,000
• Budget: $577,000

Total Annual Investment: $15,000,000

—

ANNUAL TIMELINE & CYCLE

Participatory budgeting operates on a 12-month cycle aligned with the fiscal year.

PHASE 1: IDEA COLLECTION (July – August)

Duration: 8 weeks
Activities:

• Online proposal portal opens on Digital Democracy Platform
• Community brainstorming assemblies in each district (4 meetings per district)
• Door-to-door outreach by District Council members
• Social media campaigns highlighting past successful projects
• Multi-language support (Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, others)

Goal: Generate 50-100 project ideas per district

Support Available:

• Staff at every community wellness center to help draft proposals
• Online tutorial videos showing how to submit
• Technical assistance for feasibility questions
• Translation services for non-English speakers

PHASE 2: PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT (September – October)

Duration: 8 weeks
Activities:

• City staff review all proposals for technical feasibility
• Cost estimates prepared by relevant departments (Public Works, Parks, etc.)
• Similar proposals combined with submitters’ consent
• Community workshops to refine proposals
• Proposers can revise and resubmit

Goal: Finalize 15-25 ballot-ready projects per district

Criteria for Ballot Inclusion:

• Must cost between $25,000 – $500,000 (ensures variety)
• Must be capital project (one-time spending, not ongoing operational costs)
• Must be on city property or city-controlled infrastructure
• Must benefit the public broadly (not private individuals)
• Must be feasible to complete within 2 years

PHASE 3: COMMUNITY DELIBERATION (November)

Duration: 4 weeks
Activities:

• Public expos showcasing all proposals (2 per district)
• Project advocates present their ideas (5 min each)
• Q&A with city experts on feasibility and impact
• Neighborhood meetings for deeper discussion
• Online forums on Digital Democracy Platform
• Media coverage of proposals

Goal: Informed electorate ready to vote

Accessibility:

• All events in multiple locations (libraries, community centers, schools)
• Childcare provided at in-person events
• Live streaming with interpretation
• Written materials in top 5 languages
• Closed captioning and ASL interpreters available

PHASE 4: VOTING (December 1-15)

Duration: 2 weeks
Activities:

• Digital voting on website and mobile app
• Phone voting via hotline (multilingual)
• In-person voting at 20+ locations per district
• Paper ballots available for those without technology access
• Ballot information booklet mailed to every household

Goal: Maximum democratic participation

Voting Rules:

• Any resident, worker, or student 14+ in the district can vote
• One person, one vote per district
• Must verify district residency (online via address, in-person via ID/utility bill)
• Rank choice voting (rank up to 5 projects)
• Projects funded in order of votes until $1M exhausted

PHASE 5: RESULTS & CELEBRATION (Late December)

Duration: 1 week
Activities:

• Live results announcement at district celebration events
• Winners posted on Digital Democracy Platform in real-time
• Media coverage of winning projects
• Winning proposers recognized publicly
• Implementation timeline published immediately

Goal: Transparency and community excitement

PHASE 6: IMPLEMENTATION (January – June of following fiscal year)

Duration: 18-24 months (depending on project complexity)
Activities:

• City departments begin procurement and contracting
• Community oversight committees monitor progress
• Monthly progress updates on Digital Democracy Platform
• Quarterly site visits open to public
• Photo/video documentation throughout

Goal: Deliver winning projects on time and on budget

Accountability Measures:

• Every project gets dedicated webpage with timeline and budget
• Monthly status updates (not started / design / procurement / construction / complete)
• Community oversight committee (3 volunteers per district) monitors spending
• If project delayed, city must explain why and propose solution
• Completed projects get ribbon-cutting with proposer recognized

—

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROJECT PROPOSAL

Anyone in your district can propose a project. Here’s how:

STEP 1: Check Eligibility

Your project must:

• ✅ Cost between $25,000 and $500,000
• ✅ Be a one-time capital expense (not ongoing operational costs)
• ✅ Be on city property or public right-of-way
• ✅ Benefit the public (not private individuals or businesses)
• ✅ Be feasible to complete within 2 years
• ✅ Serve people in your district

Examples of ELIGIBLE projects:

• Playground equipment at neighborhood park
• Street repaving or sidewalk repairs on public roads
• Public art installation in community space
• Technology upgrades at library branch
• Security cameras in high-crime areas
• Community garden infrastructure
• Athletic field improvements
• Pedestrian crosswalks and traffic calming
• Public WiFi installation in underserved areas

Examples of INELIGIBLE projects:

• Ongoing programs requiring annual staffing (use regular budget process)
• Projects on private property
• Costs over $500,000 (too large for single district)
• Projects benefiting only specific group without public access
• Maintenance/repairs already in city’s responsibility (use 311 to report)

STEP 2: Submit Your Idea

Three Ways to Submit:

A) Online (Recommended)

• Go to rundaverun.org/participatory-budget
• Click “Submit a Project Idea”
• Fill out simple form:

– Your name and contact info
– Project title (10 words max)
– Project description (250 words max)
– Location (address or intersection)
– Who benefits and how
– Upload supporting photos/documents (optional)

• Submit anytime July 1 – August 31

B) In-Person

• Visit any community wellness center in your district
• Staff will help you complete proposal form
• Available in multiple languages
• Walk-in hours: Monday-Friday 9am-7pm, Saturday 10am-4pm

C) By Mail

• Download proposal form from website or request by phone
• Mail to: Participatory Budgeting, [Your District] District Council, [Address]
• Must be postmarked by August 31

STEP 3: Get Technical Support

After you submit, city staff will contact you within 5 business days to:

• Confirm your proposal was received
• Ask clarifying questions
• Explain next steps
• Offer technical assistance for costing and feasibility

You can request help with:

• Engineering assessments
• Cost estimates
• Site surveys
• Permitting requirements
• Combining similar proposals with other residents

STEP 4: Refine Your Proposal

In September-October, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Review the city’s cost estimate
• Modify your proposal based on feedback
• Meet with other proposers working on similar ideas
• Prepare presentation for community expos

Staff support includes:

• PowerPoint templates for expo presentations
• Talking points and FAQs
• Mock presentation practice sessions
• Media training if your project generates news interest

STEP 5: Advocate for Your Project

Once proposals go to ballot (November), you can:

• Present at community expos (5 minutes per project)
• Share on social media with hashtag #Louisville[YourDistrict]Budget
• Create flyers or yard signs (campaign must be truthful, no attacks on other proposals)
• Talk to neighbors and community groups
• Write letters to local media

City provides:

• Equal space on Digital Democracy Platform for each proposal
• Proposal summaries mailed to all households
• Neutral Q&A sessions with experts
• Media contact list

Important: Advocacy is encouraged, but misinformation is prohibited. All claims about your project’s benefits must be factually accurate.

—

PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA

City staff evaluate proposals using objective criteria to ensure feasibility:

TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY (Must Pass)

Legal Compliance:

• Does the project comply with zoning laws?
• Are necessary permits obtainable?
• Does it violate any state or federal regulations?
• Is the property actually owned/controlled by city?

Engineering Feasibility:

• Is the project physically possible to build?
• Are there utility conflicts underground?
• Does it require environmental remediation?
• Are materials and labor available in the market?

Timeline Feasibility:

• Can the project be designed, procured, and built within 2 years?
• Are there seasonal constraints (e.g., can’t pave roads in winter)?
• Do permits typically take more than 6 months?

Safety & Liability:

• Does the project meet safety codes?
• Does it create liability risks for the city?
• Does it require ongoing maintenance the city can afford?

COST ACCURACY (Must Be Verified)

City staff prepare detailed cost estimates including:

• Design and engineering fees (10-15% of construction cost)
• Permitting fees
• Materials cost (with 10% contingency for price increases)
• Labor cost (prevailing wage if required by law)
• Inspection costs
• Project management overhead (5%)
• Contingency for unforeseen issues (10%)

Cost Estimate Template:

| Item | Estimated Cost |
|——|—————-|
| Design/Engineering | $XX,XXX |
| Permits & Fees | $X,XXX |
| Materials | $XX,XXX |
| Labor | $XX,XXX |
| Inspection | $X,XXX |
| Project Management | $X,XXX |
| Contingency (10%) | $X,XXX |
| TOTAL | $XXX,XXX |

COMMUNITY BENEFIT (Evaluated, Not Disqualifying)

Staff assess but don’t score:

• How many people will benefit?
• Does it serve underserved populations?
• Does it address documented community need?
• Does it align with city’s comprehensive plan?
• Does it improve equity across districts?

Important: These factors inform voters but don’t disqualify projects. The community decides what benefits matter most.

EQUITY CONSIDERATIONS

Staff flag but don’t reject proposals that:

• Serve areas with historically low public investment
• Benefit low-income residents
• Improve accessibility for people with disabilities
• Address environmental justice concerns
• Serve immigrant or refugee communities

Voters receive this information to help prioritize equity.

—

COMMUNITY DELIBERATION PROCESS

Before voting, residents participate in structured deliberation to make informed choices.

COMMUNITY EXPOS (2 per district)

Format:

• Science fair style with booths for each project
• Project proposers present their ideas
• City staff available to answer technical questions
• Large posters showing renderings, cost breakdowns, timelines
• Interactive voting demonstrations

Typical Expo Schedule:

• 5:00 PM – Doors Open, Browse Projects
• 5:30 PM – Welcome & Instructions
• 5:45 PM – Project Pitches (5 min each, max 20 projects = 1h 40min)
• 7:30 PM – Q&A with City Experts
• 8:00 PM – Small Group Discussions
• 8:30 PM – Closing & Voting Instructions
• 9:00 PM – Event Ends

Accessibility:

• Free childcare with activities for kids
• Free dinner provided
• Translation services available
• ASL interpreters
• Materials in large print
• Wheelchair accessible venues

NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS (Week 2-3 of November)

Smaller gatherings for deeper discussion:

• Hosted by District Council members or community leaders
• 20-30 people per meeting
• Facilitated discussion of tradeoffs
• Group ranking exercises
• Values clarification (e.g., “What matters most to you?”)

Sample Discussion Questions:

• Which projects address the most urgent needs in our district?
• Which projects will benefit the most people?
• Should we fund one large project or several small ones?
• How do we balance urgent needs vs. quality-of-life improvements?
• Which projects support our long-term vision for the neighborhood?

ONLINE FORUMS (Throughout November)

Digital Democracy Platform features:

• Threaded discussions for each project
• Upvote/downvote comments
• Direct questions to proposers
• City staff responses to technical questions
• Polling on key tradeoffs
• Links to related information

Moderation:

• Comments must be respectful and relevant
• No personal attacks on proposers
• Misinformation corrected by staff
• All comments archived for transparency

BALLOT INFORMATION GUIDE (Mailed early November)

Every household receives:

• Full list of projects on ballot in your district
• One-page summary for each project (location, cost, description, benefits)
• Cost-benefit comparison chart
• Map showing where each project is located
• Instructions for how to vote
• Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, others

Digital version includes:

• Video walkthroughs of proposed projects
• 3D renderings or photos of similar projects
• Cost breakdowns
• Proposer contact info
• Links to discussion forums

—

VOTING MECHANICS

Voting is designed to be accessible, secure, and fair.

WHO CAN VOTE?

Eligibility:

• Must be 14 years or older (youth voice matters!)
• Must live, work, OR go to school in the district
• Must verify district connection (address, employer, school name)

Why age 14+?
Research shows youth participatory budgeting increases civic engagement and produces projects that benefit young people. Cities with youth PB see higher overall participation.

HOW TO VOTE

OPTION 1: Online (Recommended)

• Visit rundaverun.org/pb-vote
• Enter your address to confirm district
• Create account with email or phone number
• Receive verification code
• Review ballot with all projects
• Rank up to 5 projects in order of preference
• Submit ballot

OPTION 2: Phone Voting

• Call 1-502-PB-VOTE (1-502-728-6833)
• Available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili
• Interactive voice response or speak with operator
• Verify district residency
• Vote for up to 5 projects

OPTION 3: In-Person

• 20+ voting locations per district:

– All community wellness centers
– Public libraries
– Community centers
– Some schools (after hours)
– Mobile voting van at high-traffic areas

• Hours: Weekdays 9am-8pm, Weekends 10am-6pm during 2-week voting period
• Paper ballots available
• Staff assistance for those who need help

OPTION 4: Mail-In Ballot

• Request ballot by calling 311 or online
• Ballot mailed to your address
• Complete and return by December 15 (postmark date)

VOTING RULES

Ranked Choice Voting:

• Rank up to 5 projects in order of preference (1st choice, 2nd choice, etc.)
• You don’t have to rank 5 – you can rank just 1 or 2 if you prefer
• Your 1st choice gets 5 points, 2nd choice gets 4 points, etc.
• Projects are funded in order of total points until $1M is spent

Why ranked choice?

• Ensures diverse projects get funded
• Prevents one large project from dominating
• Allows voters to express nuanced preferences
• Produces results that reflect community priorities

Example Ballot:

“`
DISTRICT 3: SOUTHWEST LOUISVILLE
Vote for up to 5 projects by ranking them 1-5 (1 = most preferred)

___ Resurface and stripe Dixie Highway bike lanes ($250,000)
___ Install security cameras in Chickasaw Park ($75,000)
___ New playground at Algonquin Park ($150,000)
___ Pedestrian crosswalk at busy intersection ($50,000)
___ Public WiFi in Shively community center ($100,000)
___ Athletic field lights at local park ($200,000)
… [continue with all projects]
“`

SECURITY & VERIFICATION

Preventing fraud:

• One person, one vote enforced via verified accounts
• Duplicate detection by name, DOB, address
• IP address monitoring for online voting
• Signed paper ballots for in-person voting
• Random audits of 5% of votes post-election

Voter privacy:

• Individual votes are secret
• Only aggregate results published
• Personal information not shared

Recounts:

• Any project within 2% of funding threshold triggers automatic recount
• Community members can request recount with 100 signatures
• All ballots preserved for 1 year

—

IMPLEMENTATION & ACCOUNTABILITY

Winning projects get immediate action. Here’s how we ensure delivery:

ANNOUNCEMENT & CELEBRATION

Results Released: December 18 (Live Event)

• Real-time results feed on Digital Democracy Platform
• Live announcement event in each district with food, music, celebration
• Media coverage
• Winning proposers recognized on stage
• Implementation timeline distributed

What You’ll See on Results Page:

| Project | Total Votes | Points | Cost | Status |
|———|————-|——–|——|——–|
| Resurface Dixie Highway bike lanes | 4,523 | 18,945 | $250,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| New Algonquin Park playground | 3,891 | 17,234 | $150,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| Athletic field lights | 3,204 | 14,892 | $200,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| Public WiFi at community center | 2,998 | 13,556 | $100,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| Security cameras in Chickasaw Park | 2,701 | 12,009 | $75,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| Pedestrian crosswalk | 2,334 | 10,448 | $50,000 | ✅ FUNDED |
| TOTAL FUNDED | | | $825,000 | 6 projects |
| Splash pad at Valley Station Park | 2,102 | 9,345 | $300,000 | ❌ Not enough budget |

Remaining funds ($175,000): Roll over to next year or fund partial next project with community vote.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

Winning projects follow structured implementation:

Month 1-2 (January-February):

• City department assigned as lead
• Design phase kickoff
• Community oversight committee formed (3 volunteers)
• Initial design concepts presented to community
• Proposer consulted on design decisions

Month 3-4 (March-April):

• Final design completed
• Permits submitted
• Procurement/bidding process begins
• Contract negotiations
• Community briefing on timeline

Month 5-12 (May-December):

• Construction begins
• Monthly progress updates on Digital Democracy Platform
• Photos/videos posted weekly
• Community oversight committee conducts site visits
• Problems addressed transparently

Month 13-18 (Next January-June):

• Project completion
• Final inspections
• Punch list completed
• Community walkthrough
• Ribbon-cutting ceremony with proposer

TRANSPARENCY & OVERSIGHT

Every project gets a dedicated webpage showing:

• ✅ Current status (design / permitting / procurement / construction / complete)
• ✅ Budget spent vs. allocated
• ✅ Timeline (original vs. actual)
• ✅ Photos/videos of progress
• ✅ Contractor information
• ✅ Inspection reports
• ✅ Change orders (if any, with explanation)

Community Oversight Committee:

• 3 volunteers per district elected by District Council
• Monthly site visits to all active projects
• Power to request explanations for delays or cost overruns
• Can recommend corrective action
• Reports published on Digital Democracy Platform

What Happens If Projects Are Delayed?

• City must post explanation within 48 hours
• Revised timeline published with reason for delay
• Community oversight committee reviews and comments
• If delay is city’s fault, responsible department leadership must brief District Council
• Chronic delays = accountability issue in next election

Project Completion Rate Goal: 90% within 24 months

SUCCESS METRICS

We’ll track and publish:

• Participation rate (% of eligible residents who voted)
• Demographic representation (age, race, income, neighborhood)
• Project completion rate and timeline adherence
• Budget accuracy (actual cost vs. estimate)
• Community satisfaction with completed projects
• Impact on identified community needs

Annual Report:
Every March, city publishes comprehensive report:

• All projects proposed, funded, and completed
• Participation statistics
• Demographic analysis
• Spending transparency
• Lessons learned and process improvements
• Photos of completed projects

—

SUCCESS STORIES FROM OTHER CITIES

NEW YORK CITY (Since 2011)

Scale:

• $300+ million invested over 13 years
• 706 projects funded across all boroughs
• 300,000+ residents participate annually

Notable Projects:

• School technology upgrades (laptops, smartboards)
• Park improvements (playgrounds, athletic fields)
• Street safety (pedestrian signals, speed bumps)
• Library resources (books, computers, furniture)
• Public art and murals

Impact:

• 90% of funded projects completed on time
• Highest participation in low-income districts
• Youth participation increased civic engagement long-term
• Residents report feeling more connected to local government

Quote from NYC participant:
“For the first time, I felt like my voice mattered. We got a new playground in our neighborhood that we actually designed. My kids play there every day.”

BOSTON (Since 2021)

Scale:

• $2.4M annually across 4 districts
• 7,000+ residents participate
• 50+ projects funded in first 3 years

Notable Projects:

• Community gardens with irrigation systems
• Public WiFi in underserved neighborhoods
• Youth sports facilities
• Street tree planting
• Crosswalk and sidewalk improvements

Impact:

• Increased trust in city government (measured by surveys)
• Higher voter turnout in subsequent elections
• Projects completed 85% on time (above city average)
• Particularly strong participation from immigrant communities

PARIS, FRANCE (Since 2014)

Scale:

• €500 million invested over 10 years (equivalent to ~$550M USD)
• 10% of city’s investment budget
• 200,000+ residents participate annually

Notable Projects:

• Urban gardens and green spaces
• School renovations
• Bicycle infrastructure
• Sports facilities
• Community centers

Impact:

• Paris allocates more to PB than any other city globally
• 80% of funded projects completed
• Model for dozens of European cities
• Credited with reducing inequality in public investment

KEY LESSONS FROM SUCCESSFUL CITIES

1. Start Strong:

• Robust outreach in Year 1 to build participation
• Over-invest in community education early
• Make voting extremely accessible

2. Keep Promises:

• 85%+ project completion rate is critical for continued participation
• Transparency about delays builds trust
• Celebrate completed projects publicly

3. Adapt & Improve:

• Survey participants annually
• Adjust rules based on feedback
• Learn from projects that work best

4. Equity Matters:

• Target outreach in underserved communities
• Provide resources to help residents develop proposals
• Track demographic participation and address gaps

—

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE PROCESS

Q: Is this really binding, or just advisory?
A: Binding. If you vote for it, we build it. This is in the official city budget. Your vote directs city staff to implement winning projects.

Q: What if the city doesn’t follow through?
A: You can hold us accountable. Every project is tracked online in real-time. The District Council and community oversight committee monitor progress. If projects aren’t delivered, vote me out.

Q: Can the mayor or Metro Council override the results?
A: No. The $6M is reserved in the budget specifically for participatory budgeting. Once residents vote, the city is legally obligated to implement winning projects (unless they become physically impossible, in which case we’d hold a revote).

Q: What happens to money not spent?
A: Rolled over to next year. Districts can accumulate funds for larger projects if desired.

ABOUT ELIGIBILITY

Q: Why can 14-year-olds vote? They can’t vote in regular elections.
A: Research shows youth participatory budgeting increases civic engagement. Young people are stakeholders in their community and often propose creative solutions. Cities with youth PB see higher overall participation.

Q: I work in District 3 but live in District 4. Which district do I vote in?
A: You can vote in both if you choose. You have stakes in both communities. Just verify your connection to each.

Q: What if I just moved to Louisville?
A: As soon as you establish residency (lease, utility bill, etc.), you can participate. We want all community members engaged.

Q: Do undocumented immigrants get to vote?
A: Yes. Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in the district can vote, regardless of immigration status. This is community budgeting, not a federal election.

ABOUT PROPOSALS

Q: Can I submit more than one proposal?
A: Yes, but we encourage working with others on collaborative proposals rather than submitting many individual ideas.

Q: What if someone already proposed my idea?
A: Great! Reach out to them and co-sponsor it. Stronger proposals have multiple community supporters.

Q: Can nonprofits or businesses submit proposals?
A: Yes, but projects must benefit the public, not private entities. A proposal for “public WiFi sponsored by [business]” is fine. A proposal for “renovations to [business] storefront” is not.

Q: What if my proposal is rejected as infeasible?
A: City staff will explain why and offer suggestions to modify it for resubmission. Common issues:

• Cost too high → Can we scale down?
• Not on city property → Can we find city property nearby?
• Requires ongoing costs → Can we redesign it as one-time capital?

Q: Can proposals benefit just one neighborhood, or must they benefit the whole district?
A: Neighborhood-specific projects are absolutely fine. That’s the point – local people decide local priorities.

ABOUT VOTING

Q: Is my vote secret?
A: Yes. Only aggregate results are published, not individual ballots.

Q: What if I make a mistake voting online?
A: You can change your vote anytime before the deadline (December 15). Just log back in and resubmit.

Q: Do I have to rank 5 projects?
A: No. You can rank just 1 project if that’s all you feel strongly about. But ranking more gives you more influence over how the money is spent.

Q: What stops someone from voting multiple times?
A: Verification systems prevent duplicate voting. Each person can only vote once per district. Attempts at fraud are flagged and investigated.

ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION

Q: How do I know projects are actually getting built?
A: Check Digital Democracy Platform anytime. Every project has a page showing current status, budget, timeline, and photos. Updated at least monthly.

Q: What if a project goes over budget?
A: If it’s a minor overrun (<10%), we absorb it. If major, we pause the project and return to the community with options: (1) reduce scope, (2) get supplemental funds from another source, or (3) cancel and refund the money.

Q: Can I volunteer on project implementation?
A: In some cases, yes! Community labor can stretch dollars further. For example, volunteers can help with tree planting or painting murals. City staff coordinate volunteers for appropriate projects.

Q: What if I’m unhappy with a completed project?
A: Contact District Council or file complaint via 311. If there are defects, the contractor is responsible for fixing them under warranty.

ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE

Q: Why only $6M? Why not more?
A: We’re starting conservatively to prove the model works. If successful, we can expand. $6M is significant – most cities start with $1-2M total.

Q: Could this replace the regular budget process?
A: No. Most city spending is for essential services (police, fire, roads, salaries) that can’t be voted on piecemeal. Participatory budgeting is for discretionary capital projects.

Q: What about projects that benefit the whole city, not just one district?
A: Those go through the regular budget process with Metro Council approval. Participatory budgeting is specifically for neighborhood-scale projects.

Q: Is this just a gimmick, or is it real democracy?
A: It’s real democracy. You control the money directly, not through representatives. This gives residents direct power over $6M in public spending – more direct democracy than most Americans ever experience.

—

CONCLUSION: YOUR VOICE, YOUR CHOICE, YOUR COMMUNITY

Participatory budgeting is not just about parks and sidewalks – it’s about fundamentally transforming the relationship between residents and government.

For too long:

• Politicians made decisions behind closed doors
• Budgets were incomprehensible documents
• Your input was limited to complaints
• Power was concentrated at City Hall

Under participatory budgeting:
✅ YOU propose the projects
✅ YOU debate the priorities
✅ YOU vote directly
✅ YOU hold us accountable

This is real power. This is real democracy.

What This Means for You

If you’re a parent:
Your kids can help design the playground they’ll actually use.

If you’re a senior:
You can propose the crosswalk that makes your walk to the grocery store safer.

If you’re a business owner:
You can advocate for the street improvements that will bring more customers.

If you’re a renter:
Your voice counts just as much as homeowners.

If you’re an immigrant:
You belong here, and your perspective matters.

If you’re young:
You’re not too young to have a say. Your future, your voice.

The Promise

I promise that participatory budgeting will:

• Launch in Year 1 (first vote by December 2026)
• Have $6M in the budget every year, guaranteed
• Be accessible in multiple languages
• Be monitored transparently online
• Deliver 90% of projects within 2 years
• Expand if successful

And if we fail to deliver?
Vote me out. It’s that simple.

—

This is just the beginning.

Participatory budgeting is one tool in a larger vision: returning power to Louisville residents.

Combined with District Councils, the Digital Democracy Platform, and transparent governance, we’re building a new kind of city government – one that actually serves you.

Your voice matters. Your vote counts. Your community wins.

—

Questions? Want to get involved?

Website: rundaverun.org/participatory-budget
Email: pbquestions@rundaverun.org
Phone: 311 (after inauguration) or (502) 555-DAVE

Follow implementation:

• Digital Democracy Platform (live Day 1)
• Social media: @RunDaveRun
• Community meetings in every district

—

DAVE BIGGERS FOR MAYOR
Public Safety. Accountability. Community.

Let’s build Louisville together – one project, one vote, one community at a time.

—

Prepared by: Dave Biggers for Mayor Campaign
October 2025

References:

• NYC Participatory Budgeting: www1.nyc.gov/site/civicengagement/participatory-budgeting
• Boston PB: www.boston.gov/departments/participatory-budgeting
• Participatory Budgeting Project: www.participatorybudgeting.org
• Research: Participatory Budgeting World Atlas (2019), MIT Civic Media Lab