News Summary
Cleveland has initiated the People’s Budget pilot program in Slavic Village, empowering residents to influence local spending. Launched during a Trick-or-Treat event, community members can submit improvement ideas as part of this participatory budgeting initiative. A steering committee of local residents will manage the allocation of $100,000 in private funds over the next six months, aiming for greater community engagement and empowerment in budgetary decisions.
Cleveland is launching a new initiative called the People’s Budget pilot program in Slavic Village, designed to empower community members to make decisions about local spending. The program kicked off at a Trick-or-Treat event, where families were encouraged to share their ideas for neighborhood improvements.
The People’s Budget program aims to assemble a steering committee made up of local residents who will determine how to allocate $100,000 in private funds over a six-month span. This form of participatory budgeting enables community members to have a direct voice in fiscal decisions that have traditionally been managed by city officials.
In 2023, there was a proposed ballot initiative that sought to dedicate 2% of the city’s budget to participatory budgeting, but it was narrowly defeated. This proposal received criticism from city leaders, including Council President Blaine Griffin, who stressed the importance of using public funds to sustain essential services such as paying civic employees and maintaining infrastructure.
Despite the initial setback, the People’s Budget Cleveland organization received a boost with a $50,000 anonymous donation. This funding has enabled them to continue raising financial support for the project. Out of several nominated neighborhoods, Slavic Village was selected at random to participate in the pilot program through a coin toss.
A steering committee consisting of 15 residents will be responsible for turning the proposals gathered from the community into actionable plans that can be presented for voting. Local community member Charles Gliha, who has lived in Slavic Village his entire life, expressed enthusiasm for the program and its potential to foster increased community involvement.
Najah Muhammad, the program manager, has highlighted several concerns within the community, including issues related to safety as well as the lack of activities available for children and elderly residents. The People’s Budget initiative aims to address these issues, contributing to a more equitable future for the neighborhood.
The goal of the pilot program is to transform residents’ ideas into proposals that will ultimately be voted on by the community, thereby asserting local control over budgetary matters. The approach is inspired by successful participatory budgeting initiatives in other Midwestern cities such as Detroit and Chicago, where residents have successfully influenced spending decisions.
By nurturing connections among residents and encouraging community discussions, the People’s Budget pilot program seeks to create a sense of ownership and involvement in the neighborhood, paving the way for better local governance.
While many community members are enthusiastic about the initiative, reactions from city leaders and unions have been mixed, with some voicing concerns that the program could negatively impact essential city services. Ward 12 Councilwoman Rebecca Maurer recognized the need for improvements in Slavic Village and voiced support for participatory budgeting.
This program represents a significant cultural shift in Cleveland’s approach to budget decisions, aiming to return power and decision-making authority to the residents. The People’s Budget pilot program is an exciting development for Slavic Village, seeking to create pathways for community engagement and transformative change in local governance. As the program unfolds, residents will have the opportunity to make their voices heard and shape the future of their neighborhood.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Cleveland Scene
- Wikipedia: Participatory Budgeting
- Cleveland 19 News
- Google Search: People’s Budget Cleveland
- Cleveland.com Opinion
- Google Scholar: Budget Transparency
- News 5 Cleveland
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community Participation
- Cleveland.com News
- Google News: Ohio Budget 2023
Author: STAFF HERE CLEVELAND WRITER
The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton
