From the City of Cambridge, on May 29, 2018: Participatory Budgeting idea collection takes place throughout June and July, with the city seeking project ideas to help improve Cambridge as part of its fifth Participatory Budgeting cycle.

In Participatory Budgeting, community members decide directly how to spend part of the capital budget. This year the public will vote on how to spend $900,000.

Winning projects from past cycles include a public toilet in Central Square, musical instruments for the high school, a freezer van for prepared food rescue, solar panels for the Main Library roof, and water bottle fill stations. Last year, the City received more than 600 project ideas.

The public can submit their capital project ideas through July 31 online at pb.cambridgema.gov; by calling the Budget Office at (617) 349-4270; or by sending email to [email protected].

Volunteer budget delegates will help develop the best ideas into concrete proposals to be voted on by the community the first week in December.

To volunteer as a delegate, visit the website or send email.