Boston Council Panel Debates Boosting Participatory Budget Beyond $2 Million

BOSTON -- May 27, 2025, Boston councilors pressed the Wu administration Tuesday to increase the city's participatory budgeting fund above its proposed $2 million for fiscal year 2026. Committee on Ways and Means Chair Brian Worrell convened the hearing on dockets 0822 through 0830, during which Office of Participatory Budgeting Director Renato Costello reported that the pilot cycle collected roughly 1,200 resident ideas, drew 4,460 votes, and funded six projects totaling $2 million, including $500,000 for rat prevention, $500,000 for community gardens, and $400,000 for fresh food access. Public witnesses called for as much as $4 million, with East Boston resident and Better Budget Alliance member Kathy Henriquez arguing it is "hard to ask people to show up when it's only $2 million at the table for the whole city." Councilor Edward M. Flynn dissented, recommending a $1 million cut on fiscal discipline grounds, while Chief Financial Officer Ashley Groffenberger said the administration is "happy to have a conversation" about an increase as council amendments move forward. The office's second cycle is set to launch in July, supported by approximately 18 community partner organizations, double the nine that participated in cycle one.