City Council - Ways & Means Committee Hearing on Dockets #0733-0740, FY27 Budget: Participatory Budgeting

Executive Summary

The Ways & Means Committee held a hearing on Dockets #0733-0740 regarding the FY27 budget for the Office of Participatory Budgeting. Director Renato Costello presented a recommended operating budget of $1,891,561, representing an 11.4% decrease from FY26 primarily due to staff reclassification and reduced special appropriations. The hearing reviewed the success of the second participatory budgeting cycle, which saw over 4,800 votes and funded eight community-led projects totaling $2.2 million. Councilors discussed the equity of project distribution across districts, the efficacy of youth engagement, and the progress of implementing previously approved projects from the first cycle.

Meeting Overview and Attendees

Meeting Date: April 23, 2026, at 2:11 PM.
Governing Body: City Council Committee on Ways and Means.
Chair: Councilor Benjamin Weber (District 6).
Councilors in Attendance: Edward Flynn, Miniard Culpepper, Gabriela Coletta Zapata, and Council President Liz Breadon.
Panelist: Renato Costello, Director of the Office of Participatory Budgeting.
Dockets Discussed: 0733-0740, FY27 Budget: Participatory Budgeting.

FY27 Budget and Staffing Overview

Recommended Operating Budget: $1,891,561 for FY27.
Budget Variance: This is a decrease of $242,690 (approximately 11.4%) compared to the FY26 budget of $2,134,250.
Staffing Changes: The budget decrease is attributed to the reclassification of the Chief of Staff role to a Community Partnerships and Project Coordinator position and a reduction in the Special Appropriations line.
Personnel: The office consists of three full-time staff members: the Director, a Senior Finance and Operations Manager, and a currently vacant Coordinator position.
Project Funding: 62% of the operating budget supports Participatory Budgeting (PB) projects through the Special Appropriations line. The office plans to award $2 million for projects in the upcoming cycle using accumulated balances in a continuous fund.

Participatory Budgeting Process and Timeline

Director Costello outlined the four-phase annual cycle for participatory budgeting:

Idea Collection (July): Residents submit project ideas via a multilingual online platform, phone line, or physical booths at libraries and community centers.
Review and Categorization (August–September): The office and data analytics teams review ideas for feasibility and alignment with city policy.
Proposal Development (October–December): Residents and city departments collaborate in forums to prioritize 12–15 ideas and draft formal ballot proposals.
Voting (January 15–February 15): Residents vote for up to five proposals. Winning projects are funded based on vote totals and available budget.

Cycle 2 Results and Winning Projects

The most recent cycle (ending February 2026) resulted in 1,200 ideas submitted and over 4,800 votes cast. Eight projects were awarded a total of $2.2 million:

Immigrant Legal Defense Fund: $400,000 (3,700+ votes).
Neighborhood Fresh Food Access Initiative: $500,000 (3,000+ votes).
Bridging the Gap (Housing Stability): $200,000 (2,800+ votes).
Immigrant Career Pathways: $300,000 (2,100+ votes).
Green My Block: (1,900+ votes).
Workforce Training Programs (Trades): $300,000.
Youth Financial Literacy Workshops: $250,000 (1,500+ votes).
Small Business Development Resource Program: $150,000 (1,200+ votes).

Status of Cycle 1 Project Implementation

Director Costello provided updates on projects from the first PB cycle:

Completed: Expand Access to Fresh Foods (leveraged for a $3 million SNAP response) and Youth Rental Assistance (supported 54 households with an average of $3,695).
In Progress: Supports for incarcerated youth (grants awarded to 12 nonprofits), Bus Stop Benches (120 benches scheduled for Fall 2026 installation), and Trash Containers (test units for BHA sites in Brighton scheduled for Summer 2026).
Community Gardens: Grow Boston is currently reviewing grant applications for projects slated to break ground in Summer 2026.

Councilor Inquiries and Discussion

Fiscal Discipline: Councilor Flynn expressed concern regarding the 11% budget decrease and questioned the appropriateness of allowing 11-year-olds to vote on the allocation of millions in taxpayer funds during challenging economic times.
District Equity: Councilor Culpepper advocated for increasing the PB budget to $10 million and suggested a model where each Council District is guaranteed at least one project to ensure neighborhoods like Roxbury are not excluded.
Youth Engagement: Councilor Coletta Zapata noted that while youth (ages 11-19) made up 22% of the idea collection phase, they represented only 8% of the final vote. She emphasized the value of civic education for young residents.
Outreach Strategy: Director Costello explained that the office contracts with community organizations (19 nonprofits in the last cycle) to reach underrepresented demographics. He noted that $100,000 had to be transferred back into the contracting line in FY26 to maintain the necessary outreach capacity.