Budget advisory committees can provide local agencies with more focused input from a select group of community members.

“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

Keep in Mind

Advisory committees can take a variety of forms in response to local interests and needs. They offer opportunities for the education, engagement and, at times, deliberation of advisory committee members.

Why This Approach?

Advisory committees are a relatively easy and inexpensive way to include additional voices and fresh perspectives in the budgeting process. They also can provide greater transparency to the budgeting process by serving as a conduit of information to the larger community.

For more information see the notes on budget advisory committees on the right.

Outreach and Education Case Stories From California and Beyond

Below are stories of local agencies using the budget advisory committee approach to involve residents in the budgeting process.