WHEN MONEY MEETS COMMUNITY VALUES
Budgets Are High-Stakes Engagement Moments
Budgets are where community values meet reality. Residents want transparency and to know their input shapes real decisions.
Our data shows that 81% of residents say it’s important to be included in budget decisions.
Many anticipate cuts and want a voice to prevent a breach of trust.
WHY BUDGET ENGAGEMENT MATTERS
Budget discussions are high-stakes moments for engagement. They’re an opportunity to show transparency, build trust, and demonstrate that resident input informs real decisions.
Residents should have multiple ways to engage — attending in-person hearings, registering for virtual meetings, submitting online comments, or watching livestreamed sessions.
PublicInput’s public meetings tools make this possible, ensuring residents can be part of the conversation even if they can’t attend in person.
What this means for you:
Budget conversations should be treated as relationship building opportunities.
Use PublicInput to collect, report, and share feedback efficiently, integrate surveys with public meetings, and offer livestreamed or on-demand participation.
These approaches ensure the community feels heard even during tough decisions, strengthening trust and fostering ongoing participation.
HOW THE CITY OF ASHEVILLE CENTERED RESIDENTS IN RECOVERY & BUDGET DECISIONS
After Hurricane Helene, Asheville faced the dual challenge of rebuilding infrastructure and restoring trust. Using PublicInput, the city launched a multi-channel engagement effort that reached nearly 7,000 residents, with a focus on historically underrepresented communities. Surveys, a centralized Recovery Engagement Hub, targeted outreach, and accessible meeting tools ensured feedback informed budget priorities and recovery plans.
By tracking participation and closing the feedback loop, Asheville demonstrated transparency and strengthened community trust. This approach ensured that critical recovery and budget decisions reflected the needs of the whole community.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2025 U.S. National Look at How Residents Connect with Local Government
Residents want to participate directly — proxies don’t cut it anymore.
Demonstrating reach builds confidence among residents.
Learn which formats resonate and where opportunities exist to reach more people.
CBOs work best as outreach partners, not substitutes for direct public participation.
Residents want transparency and to know their input shapes real decisions.
By modernizing formats, closing awareness gaps, and building trust local governments can move beyond the “angry few” and engage the full community.