The Evanston City Council has set aside approximately $3 million in federal ARPA funds for the participatory budgeting process, which will allow residents to help determine how these funds should be spent. To kick off the process, the City will host a Participatory Budgeting Town Hall on Thursday, August 4, at 7 p.m., in the Parasol Room of the Morton Civic Center. 

During the Town Hall, residents will learn about participatory budgeting and how to be involved in the process, and will have the opportunity to ask questions. There will be an interactive component as well, where participants will be asked to share their ideas for how the $3 million should be spent. 

The City is also working to assemble a Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee that will help plan and oversee the process. This will include recommending program rules, planning public meetings, and conducting outreach with diverse communities.