It’s time to vote! Five urban unincorporated communities will get the chance to decide which proposed community projects will happen as part of King County’s first Participatory Budgeting process.
From Aug. 2-10, anyone who lives, works, owns a business, receives services, goes to school, or worships in the following unincorporated areas can cast their vote to fund projects in their community — projects that were proposed and developed by community members.
- East Federal Way
- East Renton
- Fairwood
- North Highline/White Center
- Skyway/West Hill
Community members will be able to vote online or at one of several in-person community events.
HOW TO VOTE
Votes may be cast online (https://www.publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice)
“From the start, the Participatory Budgeting process was built on community strengths and insight to address specific priorities, chosen and supported by the residents of these communities,” King County Executive Dow Constantine said. “Now it’s time for community members to directly decide how to spend these investments in capital projects and have a direct hand in building our future together.”
More on participatory budgeting
In 2021, the King County Council approved Executive Constantine’s new approach to community investment – one that’s centered on racial equity. It gives people who live, work, play, or worship in the county’s five urban unincorporated areas the chance to directly choose how more than $11 million is spent in their communities.
Participatory budgeting allows communities to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending. Residents help decide how to spend money on capital projects (physical things that are bought, built, installed, or fixed up) or programs and services.
The Community Investment Budget Committee, a group of appointed residents from King County’s urban unincorporated areas, met virtually to create the framework for the new participatory budgeting process.
Where does the money come from? The funds for the capital projects are backed by bonds. The funds for programs and services in North Highline/White Center and Skyway-West Hill come from King County’s general fund and are supported by marijuana retail sales tax revenue.
