Eureka council backs 2024 participatory budget program; staff to allocate ~$75,000 and recruit ward delegates

The Eureka City Council approved direction for a 2024 participatory budget program on March 12 after a staff presentation from Director Millar.

Director Millar said the city set aside about $75,000 for the program and expects to allocate roughly $15,000 per award. "The first step is a budget allocation... we set aside about 75,000 for this program, and we are planning to allocate about 15,000 to each award," Millar told councilmembers. The program will recruit two delegates from each ward, hold introductory planning meetings with staff and delegates to assess feasibility and outreach, and then invite the public to propose projects and vote.

Millar reviewed projects funded last year — rental assistance ($30,000), utility assistance ($15,000), a tiny‑home/authorized encampment workshop, safety devices at an intersection and a planned mural — and said the city exhausted the prior housing and utility assistance allocations. He told council staff had identified "just under $300,000" to replenish housing assistance and that the city will continue to pursue utility assistance grants.

Councilmembers discussed possibilities for cross‑ward collaboration and confirmed delegates would receive stipends. Councilmember Fernandez moved to approve the program direction; the motion was seconded and the council voted unanimously. "I think your program does fantastic work... I'm very enthused by the initiative of this program," Fernandez said during deliberations.

The council did not authorize specific project awards at the meeting; staff will return with details on delegate selection, outreach timing and final award recommendations for council approval.

The participatory budget item was taken as a report and action item and concluded with a unanimous vote to proceed.