King County's participatory budgeting program, which allocated $11.75 million in 2023, is making a real impact on its urban unincorporated areas. Program manager Gloria Bridge detailed the process in a conversation with Westside Seattle, highlighting the program’s commitment to community engagement and empowerment. Executive Dow Constantine and Department of Local Services Director Leon Richardson joined community members at White Center Heights Elementary School on Dec. 18 to celebrate this year’s 42 community-centered projects and programs in unincorporated King County that voters chose. The event featured representatives from all the projects and programs, as well as cultural performances.

The program serves five areas: Fairwood, East Renton, East Federal Way, Skyway, and White Center. The participatory budgeting process began in April with the selection of 27 community members to form a steering committee. These committee members were paid $50 an hour to design the program for their respective areas. They created a PB guide, determined eligibility for submitting ideas and voting, and most importantly, allocated the $11.75 million across the five areas.

The program is funded through capital back bonds and marijuana cannabis tax revenue2. In the fall, the community was asked for project ideas, resulting in 683 submissions23. Following this, 61 community members were hired as proposal advocates to turn the ideas into actual proposals.

A community-wide vote took place in October, where almost 5,000 community members voted to select the 42 projects. Notably, 34 of these projects were directly awarded to community members. This resulted in real community economic development and empowerment.

The program is seeing continued engagement, with many participants from the first cycle returning. One of the funded projects is the renovation of the Kamay Cultural Center, which has received funding for two rounds.

For more information, Gloria Bridge can be reached at 206-591-6344.