District 1 Launches Participatory Budgeting

Attention District 1 Community!

District 1 City Councilor Stephanie Telles announces her partnership with Participatory Budgeting of Albuquerque (PBABQ). Participatory Budgeting will seek, uplift, and support the people living in Council District 1. The goal is to generate community led ideas for capital projects that improve existing resources, provide needed services, or build needed infrastructure for public use, safety, and confidence. The PBABQ team assists the District's constituents in developing and selecting the projects and to see each one through to implementation. 

What is Participatory Budgeting?

Participatory budgeting (“PB”) is a democratic process where community members directly decide how to spend public dollars.  To learn more about Participatory Budgeting, take a few minutes to watch this video: Overview of Participatory Budgeting (Short Video)

"District 1 residents have a history of getting involved," said District 1 City Councilor Stephanie Telles. "We want to do what is in the best interests and needs of Burquenos who live, work, study or play in our District. When we empower our neighbors to make these decisions, the outcomes are more appreciated and the community gains more confidence in City systems and leaders. Even children (11 years or older) are urged to participate, submit ideas and vote on projects."

How do I get involved with PB?

• Orientation Form: Welcome to PBABQ! To learn more about how to get involved, take a minute to complete our Orientation Form.  There are many different opportunities to get involved in the PB process, whether that be spreading the word about PB with your neighbors, serving on the Steering Committee, or submitting your very own project idea to be considered for funding! 

• Submit your Project Ideas: Participatory Budgeting is underway in District 1, and we need your public capital ideas. There’s $1.7 million available for projects that build, expand, or improve public infrastructure and community assets. If you’re 14 or older and live within Albuquerque city limits, submit your idea or project online by November 4. Proposed projects must be located in District 1. Ideas should focus on substantial, long-term public investments in District 1-CABQ.

Here is the District 1 PBABQ Timeline: 

1. Steering Committee Formation - People who live, work or play in District 1 are invited to serve. Application period ends September 2026.

2. Idea Collection - The Steering Committee reaches out to as many community groups as possible to host Project Idea Workshops and two District-Wide Assemblies through October 2026.

3. Project Development - All of the project ideas submitted will be refined, consolidated and narrowed down to a list of 10+ finalist projects to be added to the ballot through the end of November.

4. Voting - In December, D1 Community members will vote on finalist projects that make it on the ballot.

5. Funding Winning Projects -  Votes are tallied and the winning projects are funded using available District 1 Council Set-Asides in January 2027. Projects that are not funded are submitted to State Legislators for capital outlay funding.

6. Evaluate the PB Process - In February 2027, the Steering Committee will evaluate the PB process to improve next year's process.