“The budget advisory process made some staff very nervous – especially because we were inviting community leaders who had been critical of the city in the past – but they found that when you give reasonable people the same information, they generally come to similar decisions if they’ve come to the process with an open mind.” - Public Agency Staff, City of Redding

Below are stories of local agencies using a “Budget Advisory Committee” approach to involve residents in the budgeting process.

For notes on the “Budget Advisory Committee” approach, see document at right.