Vallejo Begins Week-Long Vote To Distribute Scarce Funds
VALLEJO (CBS SF) -- Vallejo residents began voting Saturday in a week-long experiment with direct democracy that will give them a say in which neighborhood projects should get $3.2 million in city tax money.
The voting process, which will continue through the May 18, will help the City Council decide how to spend funds from a 1 percent sales tax measure intended to enhance city services, according to city officials.
Residents proposed more than 800 ideas during budget assemblies and online last fall, and a total of 35 were developed into project proposals for residents to vote on, according to city officials.
Projects include street improvements, support for schools and parks, cultural events and public safety measures.
The final voter-approved ideas will be presented to the City Council in June.
Voters approved Measure B, a 1 percent sales tax, in November 2011.
The City Council set aside 30 percent revenue produced by the measure between April 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013, for the participatory budget process.
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