Hartford, the capitol city of Connecticut, faces major budget deficits and increasing demands for services annually. With half of its land off the tax rolls, and at a time when the city is working hard to achieve revitalization, the budget challenge grows each year. This is an especially opportune time to include residents and other stakeholders directly in the annual municipal budget planning process as a way to incorporate good ideas, build support, and promote civic engagement. To achieve this, HPL and its partners created PB with the Library providing important leadership. PB has occurred annually during the City’s budget planning process since 2011, including March 2015.

PB consists of two public events. The first provides information about the City’s budget and an opportunity to discuss challenges with elected officials. The second is a daylong workshop where participants work in small groups to develop simulated scenarios to balance the budget and then discuss their scenarios with the Mayor and City Council. This year HPL improved the workshop by identifying a new online budget planning simulation tool, Balancing Act, designed by Engaged Public of Denver. As the first city to use the new tool, Engaged Public designated Hartford as a “Showcase City” and provided the product for free.

By providing an opportunity for public participation, PB results in a better budget, more stakeholder buy-in, and a stronger democratic process. The Mayor and City Council participate fully and clearly value the public’s input.

Recent participants said:

• “This…gave me empathy for the Mayor and Council; they have a very hard job.”
• “The process was really interesting, especially how to choose among services.”
• “We need to remember that these decisions affect people.”
• “People respected and listened to each other.”

Under HPL’s leadership, work has begun towards incorporating participatory budgeting in PB next year. In participatory budgeting, the community proposes projects and votes on which of them will be funded. HPL recently arranged planning meetings with staff from The Participatory Budgeting Project in NYC.