Bottom-Up Shorts: How To Make Your City’s Finances More Accessible
Mar 11, 2025
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David Jenkins, a city councilor in La Plata, Maryland, delves into the importance of making municipal finances accessible to residents. He discusses innovative practices for transparent budgeting that empower community participation. Jenkins shares his insights on the challenges of fiscal communication and calls for the establishment of citizen finance committees. He emphasizes the need for effective auditing and long-term planning as cities grow, encouraging stronger community engagement through financial literacy.
David Jenkins emphasizes the importance of financial transparency and community engagement to enhance public understanding of local budget processes.
The establishment of a finance committee featuring residents with financial expertise aims to improve oversight and education on municipal fiscal matters.
Deep dives
Upcoming Strong Towns Accelerator
The Strong Towns Accelerator program, scheduled for April, focuses on housing reform and aims to empower participants to drive change in their communities. This six-course series provides tools and insights for those ready to engage deeply with local housing issues and strengthen their towns. Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up on the Strong Towns website, with support available via email for any questions. The initiative reflects a commitment to equipping community members with the knowledge and agency needed to impact local housing policies and practices.
David Jenkins' Local Advocacy Efforts
David Jenkins, a city councillor in La Plata, Maryland, emphasizes the importance of transparency in municipal finances and infrastructure costs. Inspired by educational resources and community engagement tactics from Strong Towns, he has taken significant steps to demystify the budget process for residents. Jenkins utilizes podcasts and video content to communicate budget insights, share timelines, and clarify the implications of financial decisions made by the council. His proactive approach aims to foster a deeper understanding of budgetary matters, especially during periods of growth and development in his community.
Challenges and Opportunities in Budget Transparency
Jenkins highlights the need for more effective outreach and engagement with citizens regarding budget issues, especially during his final term in office. The recent establishment of a finance committee comprising residents with financial expertise aims to enhance oversight and education around fiscal matters, addressing gaps in the community’s understanding. Jenkins notes the necessity of posing critical questions about infrastructure costs related to new developments in the area, particularly as the town experiences rapid growth. By leveraging community participation and clear communication, he seeks to improve the public's connection to local governance and its financial realities.
David Jenkins is a city councilor in La Plata, Maryland, as well as the city’s Local Conversation leader. He joins Norm on this episode of Bottom-Up Shorts to discuss his work with the city’s budget, particularly his efforts to share the city’s financial information with the community in a way that’s easy to understand and actually allows residents to participate in the budgeting process.