Rethinking Budgeting Forum

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  • 1.  Rethinking Public Engagement

    Posted Nov 10, 2025 10:23 AM

    The budget is the most important policy document that a local government produces. Our Rethinking Public Engagement work is designed to help local governments engage with citizens in the budget process. The standard avenue for citizen engagement is often limited to a public hearing or two, which typically happens after important decisions have been made and often amount to little more than a chance for citizens to air their grievances at a microphone. We want to change that!

    Rethinking Public Engagement Research

    In this report, we discuss rethinking the purpose of public engagement, the search for solutions, and introduce ten design principles to help. Click here to learn more. 

    Design Principles Explained

    Our research includes design principles for public engagement along with examples of how those design principles might be put into practice. Taken together, these principles will allow local governments to fulfill the purposes of public engagement we discussed earlier. Click here to download the infographic. 

    Checklist

    We've put together a checklist to help local government build trust and strengthen relationships with the public. Click here to view and download. 



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    Timothy Martin
    Senior Manager for Marketing & Digital Experiences
    GFOA
    Chicago IL
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  • 2.  RE: Rethinking Public Engagement

    Posted Nov 11, 2025 02:00 PM

    Tim,

    Thank you for sharing the infographic on the Design Principles and the checklist for Rethinking Public Engagement! They are very helpful.



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    Harpreet Hora
    Finance Director
    City of Johns Creek
    Johns Creek GA
    (404) 983-6108
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