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Council honors participatory budgeting steering committee, schedules public hearing
Summary
Columbus City Council adopted a resolution recognizing the resident-led steering committee that designed the city’s pilot participatory budgeting process and announced an April 29 public hearing to review the committee’s recommendations for $9 million set aside in the 2025 capital budget.
Columbus City Council on Tuesday adopted Resolution 0057X-2026 commending an 18-member, resident-led participatory budgeting steering committee for producing recommendations and a guidebook to inform the city’s pilot participatory budgeting (PB) process.
The resolution, introduced by Council Member Bangston, notes that the 2025 capital budget included $9 million reserved for the PB pilot — described as $1 million allocated for each district — and recognizes the committee’s role in developing goals, rules, outreach strategies and phase-one procedures. Council Member Bangston said the process is designed to be “resident driven” and outlined a five-phase plan that will be presented further at a public hearing on April 29.
Melissa Bila, identified in the meeting as the city’s participatory budgeting coordinator, thanked Bangston and the steering committee and described the role the committee played in creating an inclusive process and public education about both PB and the council’s budget. Committee members from across districts introduced themselves at the council dais; at least one youth representative said she was 16 and attends Columbus Alternative High School.
The council voted to adopt the recognition resolution by roll call. The administration and the council have scheduled an April 29 public hearing where the committee’s recommendations and the PB framework will be presented for public comment and further council consideration.
Council members emphasized that the PB pilot aims to bring residents into budget decisions beyond traditional zoning disputes, allow community-driven spending priorities, and create a more accessible civic process. The resolution itself is ceremonial and does not authorize the disbursement of funds; further steps to commit specific PB project funding will follow standard agenda items and hearings.
The council’s calendar shows the April 29 hearing will be the next chance for detailed public scrutiny of the steering committee’s proposals and the proposed PB rules.
