Participatory budgeting committee unveils 11 projects for Cycle 3 ballot, $100,000 available

Nora Brennan, chair of the city’s participatory budgeting committee (speaker 31), presented an overview of Cycle 3, saying the committee received its largest number of project submissions to date and has advanced 11 proposals to the public ballot.

Brennan said the city council previously authorized a maximum of $100,000 for the program and that Cycle 2 delivered four completed projects and one pending project. The Cycle 3 ballot includes an outdoor learning center at Geyser Road Elementary School, a Franklin Community Center food‑pantry garden revitalization, support for the Saratoga Springs Farmers Market, a book bus for the Saratoga Children’s Literacy League, a phase‑two expansion of the conservancy pollinator garden and other community programs.

Voting will run for one week starting the coming Saturday; Brennan said the city will use a Stanford‑developed platform that supports budget‑limit (knapsack) voting so residents can select projects that fit within the $100,000 allocation. Brennan asked residents to vote and noted some projects will be implemented by city departments while others will be grant‑funded through the submitting organizations.

Council members thanked the committee and staff for outreach and vetting. The presentation concluded with a request for residents to review the online materials and encourage voter participation.