MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County is launching a second round of participatory budgeting, again putting $2.5 million in the hands of residents to allocate toward community projects.
Idea submissions are open through September, with a public vote scheduled for early 2027.
The program, overseen by the county's Office of Equity, asks community members to weigh in on two core questions: how they would use $2.5 million to improve their community, and how they would use that money to advance racial equity. Anyone 14 or older who lives, works, or attends school in Marin County is eligible to participate, regardless of immigration status.
Ideas can be submitted online interactive map, which is also available in Spanish. The Office of Equity will also gather input at in-person events including health fairs, community gatherings, and neighborhood locations such as libraries and schools.
The process unfolds in five stages. Idea collection runs from June through September 2026, followed by a formal grant proposal period from October through December. Community members will vote on proposals in February and March 2027. The Board of Supervisors is then expected to announce and fund winning projects in April and May 2027, with implementation beginning in June 2027.
Equity Director Jamillah Jordan said the program is designed to direct decision-making toward communities that have historically had less influence over how public money is spent.
"Community members are best equipped to identify their local priorities and guide how public dollars are spent in their neighborhood," Jordan said.
The first cycle, launched in 2023, drew more than 3,600 voters and ultimately funded 24 projects spanning youth mentorship, climate resiliency, and cultural arts programs.
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