City Council District 6 Announces Results of $1.7 Million Participatory Budgeting Vote

On Saturday, October 17, 2026 City Councilor Nichole L. Rogers and City Council District 6 community members proudly announced the vote results for the second round of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in District 6. Advancing her commitment to constituents, Councilor Rogers dedicated $1.7 million in discretionary capital funds, giving community members direct decision-making power to shape the future of physical capital projects in their district.
Driven by the vision of a 25-member Steering Committee of local residents, this grassroots process engaged the community at every step. During the initial idea collection phase from April to May 2026, residents submitted 244 project ideas through 12 community workshops and neighbor-led outreach.

Through collaborative refinement, those submissions were narrowed down to 11 finalist projects. Supported by more than 45 outreach events across August and September, an impressive 1,866 total votes were cast by District 6 residents. This is a 52% increase from the total number of votes that were received last year (1,224 votes). 
"Participatory Budgeting gives our communities real power over real money to build the neighborhoods they envision," said Councilor Nichole L. Rogers. "This process reflects the true priorities and dedication of District 6 residents who worked tirelessly to guide $1.7 million in local investments. Our work doesn't stop here—I remain deeply committed to funding the PBABQ projects that weren't selected in this round as we look toward 2027. Every idea brought forward by our community deserves a champion, and we will keep pushing to bring these visions to life."

Winning Projects Funded Through PB

At least the top three projects on the ballot will be funded using the available $1.7 million, with additional projects potentially being funded depending on more definitive quotes that are provided to the City during the implementation phase of the PB process. Below is a breakdown of the total vote count for all projects (1866 total):

Continued Funding Pathways

To honor the community's priorities, Councilor Rogers is actively pursuing alternative funding mechanisms for the remaining projects on the ballot.

Implementation and Next Steps

2027 marks the official Implementation Phase of the PB Cycle. City staff and community leaders are moving forward with several key initiatives:

• International District Opportunity Campus (IDOC): The Shriner Property will officially be known as the IDOC. The team is currently identifying the right mix of community organizations and occupants for the campus.
• Maximizing Funds: The City is securing formal quotes for each of the winning projects, including furniture for the IDOC and equipment for the commercial kitchen, to ensure the available funding goes as far as possible.
• Legislative Advocacy: Preparations are underway for the 2027 State Legislative Session, where Councilor Rogers and community members will advocate for State Capital Outlay to fund the remaining ballot projects.