The People's Purse: The Remix + Bonus Civic Track
September is here and the Richmond People’s Budget is working to build on the success we had last year. Most importantly we are following through on the promises that we made to the community. Here are a few highlights of things we’ve been up to as of late.
Ordinance Remix:
You asked, the PB Commission listened! We are in the process of making some updates to the PB Commission Ordinance - Ord. No. 2025-051
Greatest Hits from the Pb Commission Meeting:
A bigger, better Commission with one community member representing each district
Brand-new Ad-Hoc Committees: representing Richmonders in the Youth, Disability, New American, and Public Housing communities
A special feature with City Departments, with liaisons working directly alongside Budget Delegates in the proposal process
Next Track? Fine-tuning the Ordinance Remix and sending it off to Council for consideration.
“The Commission and the Council design the beat; the community gets in the booth and voices their needs”
Okay fine I’ll stick to my day job. – RVAPB Staffer
Project Highlight: District Two
Participatory Policy anyone?
The two main roles of Richmond City Council are to approve the budget every year and develop policies that make Richmond a vibrant and thriving City. Those that participated in the Richmond People’s Budget got a first-hand experience of what it is like for a City Council member to prioritize and eventually make the hard decisions about finite City resources. RVAPB is an example of participatory budgeting. But, what about the policy side of things? Are there opportunities for residents to help develop and guide policy in Richmond? Yes, you can speak up at a council meeting, join a board/commission, sit down with your council member, and partners with an advocacy group. Though, there is another way that is starting to gain traction across the US – Citizen Assemblies.
So, how does a Citizen Assembly work?
1)First, City Council and a Mayor come together to create a remit. What is a remit you ask? That is a specific question that local government wants answered.
2)Next the city gathers a randomly selected group of residents that represents a cross section of residents from the city.
3)The group of residents begins to meet over the next few weeks to get to know one another, and dive into the details of the remit by hearing from experts and advocates.
4)Once the learning is done, the group then starts to discuss and develop policies that will later be shared with the city officials.
5)Lastly – The City reviews and votes on the policy ideas.
Here are some great examples of Citizen Assemblies from around the US
Do you think this could work in Richmond? Reply to this email and let us know your thoughts.
Thank You Jerome + Aaron!
The Richmond People’s Budget wants to send out a heartfelt thank you to two of the original 9 members from the Richmond Participatory Budget Steering Commission.
Jerome Legions and Aaron Linas have been stalwarts in these efforts from the very beginning, guiding the development of the rulebook starting in 2022 and then driving the vision for the process as we began. Jerome was key to making the goals and values of the project meaningful, and Aaron brought keen insight into how RVAPB can be meaningful to residents across the city.
After serving two terms each on the commission, they are stepping down so that new community leaders can play a role in guiding the future vision of the project.
If you are interested in being on the Commission go to this page to sign up! https://www.rva.gov/office-city-clerk/boards-and-commissions
Next time you see them, give them a round of applause.
Where is RVAPB In September?
September 2nd and 3rd – Attended the VCET Summit
September 3rd- RVAPB Commission Meeting
September 16th- RVAPB Presenting at the Urban Forestry Commission
September 23rd – DPW Capital Improvement Symposium @ Main St Station
RVAPB Staff @ The Virginia Civic Engagement Table Summit
