“One of the reasons I wanted to run [for office] was to make Saratoga a more inclusive place, and participatory budgeting helps us do that,” said Finance Commissioner Minita Sanghvi in announcing the new program at the April 5 City Council meeting. According to the Finance Department’s Participatory Budgeting web page, “city residents and nonprofits are invited to submit project proposals for consideration. Funding for selected proposals will be through a budget assignment not to exceed 0.25% of the city’s general fund budget, subject to available City funds. The Participatory Budget Committee will review project proposals, assist applicants with submissions, and determine a list of finalists to be voted on by the public. Winning proposals shall be reviewed and recommended by the Commissioner of Finance; final project funding shall be voted on by the City Council.” More information, including a link to the form for submitting a proposal, is here.