The Office of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell in collaboration with Reimagine LA Coalition, Participatory Budgeting Project and Tres Lunas Consulting, is launching its first participatory budgeting pilot program in the 2nd District, Community Budget, allocating a total of $1 million dollars between Florence-Firestone and Ladera Heights communities ($500,000 for each community).
Participatory budgeting or PB is a democratic and inclusive process that invites community members to directly influence and decide how a public budget will be allocated. PB is an approach to public engagement that puts real decision-making power over real money directly into the hands of residents.
Between April 15 and June 15, we are collecting ideas of how you think this money should be spent. The Advisory Committee has created a “Priority Area List” of the types of projects that we would like to receive ideas for. This is a one-time funding source; therefore, the ideas/projects cannot add to County’s personnel costs to existing departments. Ideas/projects need to be in alignment with Care-First models – an initiative by the County that states our commitment to investing in our most marginalized residents and communities, prioritizing care, services, and opportunities over incarceration for those who have long suffered from the injustices of a flawed legal system rooted in racial and economic disparities.
Priority Area List:
The definitions below are aimed to inspire your thinking but not limit your aspirations. If you have any questions or need support participating in this process, please email us at flopez@bos.lacounty.gov or twebb@bos.lacounty.gov.
Green and Safe Infrastructure
- Investing in developing environmentally sustainable infrastructure, including but is not limited to renewable energy, green spaces, and infrastructure improvements that enhance community safety
Housing & Homelessness
- Investments aimed at addressing housing affordability, homelessness prevention, and supportive services for those experiencing homelessness and those on the brink of homelessness
Economic Opportunities
- Funding initiatives crafted to stimulate the local economy, job creation, and workforce development
Traffic and Transportation
- Investing in transportation and infrastructure improvements, including but is not limited to traffic management, traffic safety, promoting other methods of transportation besides private vehicles (e.g. bikes and public transit)
Mobile, Public, and Accessible Resources
- Funding projects and resources that equitably increase overall access to essential services and delivery of those services to residents who have historically lacked access
Confirm if you are eligible to participate.
Anyone who lives or works in Florence-Firestone or Ladera Heights can share their ideas. Persons of any age are able to submit ideas, but only those 16 and over will be able to vote. https://www.lavote.gov/apps/precinctsmaps
- Enter the address number and street name of your place of work or residence.
The tool may give you a few options. Be sure to check your ZIP code.
This tool shows you all of the jurisdictions that represent you. Go down a few lines, you should see “Second Supervisorial District,” and a few lines below that, you should see “Unincorporated Ladera Heights” or “Unincorporated Florence.”
If you see Ladera Heights or Florence-Firestone listed as unincorporated, congratulations, you qualify to submit your idea!
