Milwaukee Common Council Introduces Legislation to Establish Participatory Budgeting Program

Common Council to Vote on Legislation on April 2

The African American Roundtable (AART) is excited to announce that the Finance and Personnel Committee of the City of Milwaukee Common Council has introduced legislation to establish a Participatory Budgeting (PB) Program in Milwaukee. Pending a full Common Council vote on April 2, the “MKE Community Impact Fund” will allow residents the opportunity to propose, vote on and implement community projects totaling $600,000.

“This is a great and historic day for Milwaukee and its residents,” said Markasa Tucker-Harris, Executive Director of the African American Roundtable. “AART has been rallying for PB through our LiberateMKE campaign since 2019–based on feedback from our neighbors–and we’re thrilled to see the City of Milwaukee rise to the occasion to truly meet the needs of its residents.”

“This program will change lives,” said Devin Anderson, AART’s Campaign and Membership Director. “It will give residents decision-making power over these public funds and allow them to create projects that will increase safety and enhance their quality of life. PB levels the playing field, because now, all residents will get a say in how the city’s money is spent, and we encourage everyone to get involved.”

According to the legislation, “The MKE Community Impact Fund is intended to enhance civic engagement, foster transparency, and empower residents to make decisions that directly impact their lives. It also helps to ensure that public funds are used in ways that reflect the priorities and needs of the community.”

There will be four stages: engagement and education, proposal development, voting, and implementation. AART will support the city and residents in implementing this program, and the organization encourages full participation from Milwaukee residents.

This proposal is a part of a $2.4 million bill that uses the remaining funding in the Citizen-Led Transformation Fund, which was established using remaining American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The city received a total of $394 million in ARPA funds to help recover from the pandemic.