Crowd-fund Community Needs

I would like to see the City create a portal for people to crowd-fund community projects/needs. Ideally the City will “pre-approve” these ideas and that once funding goals are achieved, there is a process in place to quickly implement the idea. This has great potential for success on small scale projects (like bike racks and air pumps, covered bus stops, drinking fountains, etc), but it could also be utilized for more public art, improvements to area parks, better crosswalks, more public bathrooms, etc.

Certainly many of these things should be provided via existing tax revenues; however, the City is often quick to say that funds are not available (and I’m tired of that excuse). While we won’t be able to stop the general taxation of citizens, it would be nice to see a more direct avenue for people to decide where they want their money to go. Crowd-funding has been used with great success in the private sector, so there is no reason why the City should not utilize this to also fund things with public benefit.

Charlie 0