Mecklenburg County has launched its Pilot Participatory Budgeting Program, PB Meck. This program puts decision-making power into the hands of county residents who will help to decide which community projects are funded in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Here in Mecklenburg County, that means for the first time ever, eligible ideas proposed by residents could be funded for up to $125,000 (per idea), for each of six County Districts.

Participatory Budgeting (PB Meck) is the only budget engagement initiative that allows the opportunity to vote on the approved projects. This happens in three phases: 1) Volunteer Recruitment, 2) Project Ideation, and finally, 3) Community Voting.

Started in Brazil in 1989, there are now over 1,500 participatory budgets around the world. While the vast majority occur at the municipal level of government, Participatory Budgeting has also been used for counties, states, housing authorities, schools and school systems, universities, coalitions, and other public agencies. While North Carolina cities Greensboro and Durham provide PB programs, this is the first time a participatory budget program has been implemented at the county level in North Carolina. Implementation of Participatory Budgeting in Mecklenburg County comes on the heels of Mecklenburg County’s Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Engagement Strategy, which incorporated district-wide listening sessions and an intentional focus on equity.

What makes a good PB Meck Project?

PB Meck Project ideas could range from playground equipment or outdoor workout equipment for a neighborhood park, to a financial literacy workshop implemented by a local nonprofit. Eligible ideas are projects or programs with a one-time cost, that benefit the community as a whole. Projects like sidewalk construction, bus stops, and street repair are not eligible because Mecklenburg County, a health and human services agency, does not fund infrastructure projects or community services typically conducted by the City government.

Here are some examples of PB Projects implemented across the country:

Cambridge, Massachussets: Rain Gardens for Resiliency

Category: Environment

Cost: $120,000

Description: Rain gardens are engineered to use specific soil and plants that absorb and filter stormwater, and are a cost-effective, beautiful way to naturally clean runoff and protect from flooding.

Greensboro, North Carolina: Pool Shade at Warnersville Pool

Category: Parks and Rec

Cost: $15,000

Description: Shade cloths at city pools that provide shade to residents who would like protection from the sun but still want to be outside.

New York, New York: Reaching the underserved business community in Canarsie, Brooklyn

Category:Workforce and Economic Development

Cost:$40,000

Description:Black and Latino small business owners in Canarsie will advocate for, increase awareness, and share information about the stigmas around mental health and where to go locally for information. Canarsie is one of the fastest-growing minority-owned small business communities in NYC. Our goal is to grow with the growth in our community.

Meet the Volunteers

Meet some of the volunteers helping to bring the PB Meck pilot program to life. Volunteers, or “Budget Delegates” were recruited to help keep this process both transparent and rooted in community needs. PB Meck Volunteers will help prioritize their Districts’ top needs, and evaluate the project ideas submitted by the community on three main criteria: equity, community impact, and cost feasibility. Learn why this program is important to folks who’ve lived in Mecklenburg County for anywhere from 3 years, to their entire lives.

Yvette Townsend-Ingram, Age 50, District 2

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? I am a community leader and I do budgeting & consulting for a living. It was a natural fit!

What does community mean to you? Community to me is a diverse group of stakeholders who want to constantly and consistently improve upon shared benefits so that everyone living in the community may thrive and live their best life.

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? 20-30 years

Carley Tucker, Age 27, District 5

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? I wanted to volunteer for a couple of reasons. I grew up in District 5 and it's important for me that we continue to make our neighborhoods healthier and better for those who are most marginalized and have access to the fewest resources. I also wanted to get a better idea of how the county government works and budgets. This was a way to do both!

What does community mean to you? Showing up for each other in times of need, celebrating each other's successes, and knowing each other beyond just a name.

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? Mecklenburg County Native

Latesha Graham, Age 44, District 2

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? This was a great opportunity for the community to get involved.

What does community mean to you? Community means looking out for one another. Community is the foundation that is built on the people who live and thrive together.

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? Less than 3 years

Reese Scales, Age 43, District 3

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? I see the needs in my community and wanted to be a part of the solutions provided.

What does community mean to you? Extended Family and Friends

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? More than 15 years

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Bruce Chapman, District 5

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? Implement needed change based on street-level observations & experiences.

What does community mean to you? Very much

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? Mecklenburg County Native

Anusha Ray, Age 16, District 4

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? I’ve always had a strong passion for community service and this opportunity seemed perfect for that. I really wanted to learn from this experience. Since I’m new to this community, it was important for me to learn more about the area. On top of this, I’m excited to learn more about financial management skills.

What does community mean to you? To me, community represents a group of people who look out for each other. This doesn't necessarily imply that we have to be best friends with each and every person in our community... but it means that there's an unspoken connection between the people. While our guardians are the people who primarily raise us, if we take the time to think about it, we are raised by our community members.

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? Less than 3 years

Patricia Malone-Williams, District 3

What compelled you to volunteer for a Mecklenburg County Participatory Budgeting team for your district? I own a non-profit Mentoring Program for adolescents. Those connections to the community have opened my awareness of the needs that are present. I wanted to volunteer for the budgeting team to have an impact on, and influence the direction of my community. There's so much to do, but this is my contribution to making a difference.

What does community mean to you? For me, Community means meeting and interacting with neighbors and strangers in a way that promotes a feeling of pride in where you live and socialize. It's a common understanding to help those who are struggling and to recognize that we can be no better than the person most in need.

How long have you lived in Mecklenburg County? Nearly 30 years