Supervisors send District 7 participatory budgeting reappropriations to full board

The Budget & Finance Committee unanimously forwarded an ordinance on Jan. 25 that reappropriates about $370,000 from District 7 participatory budgeting funds to city departments to implement the projects chosen by residents.

Supervisor Melgar, whose office led the District 7 participatory budgeting effort, told the committee the process engaged a range of local organizations — PTAs, churches, block clubs, senior centers and other community groups — and produced eight winning projects for implementation by departmental partners. “We put out criteria for the community,” Melgar said, explaining that a citizen committee vetted proposals and recommended projects that focus on community resilience and recovery.

Nick Menard of the Budget Legislative Analystonfirmed the BLA etailed the projects in the report and recommended approval. Chair Supervisor Hillary Ronan moved to forward the ordinance to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the committee recorded three ayes and the motion passed.

The ordinance reallocates funds across departments, including the Department of Children, Youth and Their Families, Department of Public Works, Department of Emergency Management and the Municipal Transportation Agency, to carry out park improvements, neighborhood building activities, pedestrian-safety work and other community projects identified through the participatory budgeting process.

The matter will next be considered by the full Board of Supervisors.