City Hall Should Work for You
Participatory Budgeting
for San Antonio
For six years as a City Councilmember, as a disability attorney, and with extensive experience as a staff member for City Hall, mayors, and city organizations, I have spent my career listening to the people of San Antonio. Across every district and neighborhood, residents have shared their priorities and voiced their concerns. Despite years of outreach and engagement, the same issues—safer streets, better infrastructure, accessible parks, and stronger public services—continue to dominate conversations year after year.
Our residents are not just asking for their voices to be heard—they are demanding action.
Participatory Budgeting (PB) offers an inclusive, transparent, and equitable way to empower residents in shaping their communities. This plan provides a direct role for San Antonians in allocating resources, transforming our budgeting process into one that reflects the priorities of the people we serve.
Why Now?
Preparing for 2027
San Antonio is set to implement Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) in 2027, which presents a unique opportunity to align Participatory Budgeting within the city’s financial framework. By integrating planning and research for PB with ZBB development, we can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and ensure that these two transformative processes complement one another.
This approach enables us to start PB planning in 2025, launch citywide pilots by 2026, and fully integrate the process alongside ZBB in 2027. While ambitious long-term goals like allocating up to 5% of the city’s budget to PB are inspiring, this plan focuses on a phased rollout that prioritizes inclusivity, accessibility, and practical implementation.
What is
Participatory Budgeting?
Participatory Budgeting (PB) gives YOU the power to decide how city resources are spent.
Propose
Ideas
Vote on
Projects
See
Results
Why Participatory Budgeting?
- Empowering Community Voices: PB puts decision-making power in the hands of residents, allowing them to propose and vote on projects that matter most to them.
- Fostering Equity: By prioritizing outreach to historically underserved communities and addressing barriers like the digital divide, PB ensures that everyone has a seat at the table.
- Driving Results: Residents know their neighborhoods best. PB ensures that resources are allocated to meet the real needs of the community.
- Building Trust: Transparent budgeting creates accountability and strengthens the relationship between City Hall and the people it serves.
Potential Projects
With PB,
you can choose:
Stronger Public Services
Sidewalk repairs, safer crosswalks, and new lighting in high-traffic areas.
Safer Streets
Neighborhood watch resources, safety cameras, and traffic calming measures.
Better Parks
Playground improvements, expanded trails, and community gardens.
Building a San Antonio that listens and acts
San Antonio’s residents deserve more than a voice—they deserve action. Participatory Budgeting is the next step in transforming city governance, empowering every resident to shape the future of their neighborhoods. By prioritizing inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, Melissa Cabello Havrda’s plan creates a government that works for and with the people of San Antonio.
We can ensure that every dollar is spent with purpose, every voice is heard, and every neighborhood has the resources and tools to improve residents’ quality of life.
I'm listening.
Take part in any of the surveys below to let me know what matters most to you.
- Your Priorities
Join us as we build a city where everyone thrives.
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