The steering committee guiding King County’s Participatory Budgeting process reached a milestone recently when it decided how $11.75 million in public project funding will be spread across the county’s five urban unincorporated areas.
The allocation of funds for Participatory Budgeting—a process centered on racial equity that’s now in its second round—marks a major step in determining what the public will ultimately see on a ballot. It the program’s first cycle, the communities voted last year to fund dozens of projects and services.
Here’s how the 29-member steering committee chose to allocate the funding for this cycle:
- East Federal Way – $1,516,000
- East Renton – $754,000
- Fairwood – $754,000
- Skyway/West Hill – $3,040,000
- White Center/North Highline – $2,786,000
The communities of Skyway/West Hill and White Center/North Highline will also receive $2.9 million in marijuana tax revenue as part of the program:
- Skyway/West Hill – $1.74 million
- White Center/North Highline – $1.16 million
For the committee members, deciding how to divide available funds among the five communities was a challenging process. It required them to have honest, authentic discussions about how racial inequities have damaged entire communities, and then work together to reach consensus.
Watch the video and read below to learn what they had to say:
Participatory Budgeting steering committee creates framework for new process, divides $11.75 million among five urban unincorporated areas
Brandon Houston, Skyway
I love being a part of the Participatory Budgeting process. It’s very empowering in giving me a chance to see how the local government actually works, as well as to really get to put in my two cents and really feel like a part of the community.
Heather Patrick, White Center
Participating in the Participatory Budgeting process and successfully completing the ‘Design’ phase fills me with a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing that my input has played a pivotal role in shaping the path towards a more inclusive and impactful future.
Jean-Paul Yafali, East Federal Way
We are excited our funding has been approved. Now, it’s time for ideas – $754,000 for our neighborhood. Yay!
Jeremy Gitchel, East Renton
I am honored to be a part of this cycle of the Participatory Budgeting process. Representing Fairwood to get $754,000 going towards the great ideas our community has is exciting. Let’s go!
Beau Ervin, Fairwood
I’m excited to say that I helped advocate to get $3,040,000 for the Skyway-West Hill area. Now it is time for you to give us the ideas that you want to use for this funding to help improve the neighborhood. C’mon ya’ll!
LaCretiah Claytor, Skyway
I like being part of this program because we are a very united community, and we can see the needs of White Center, and that is why we come together to be able to do something for the White Center community.
Ruth Montserrat Contreras Rodriquez, White Center
Participatory Budgeting is successful because King County is empowering communities,” Briggs said. “We are shifting the power of budget decision-making to communities that historically have been disenfranchised.”
Program Manager Gloria Briggs
Participatory Budgeting is a testament to what can happen when local government works directly with the folks we serve. It’s a public partnership in the truest sense, and a transformational way of doing government business.
Local Services Director John Taylor
King County Local 