What Should be the Focus of St. Pete's 2014 Budget?

Ahead of Wednesday's budget forum on the fiscal year 2014 budget, the People's Budget Review has released a list of budget policy proposals that touch on sustainability, local businesses, youth employment, neighborhoods, support for the arts and urban agriculture. 

The results were based on a budget survey taken by more than 500 St. Petersburg residents. 

"After receiving input from hundreds of residents about their vision for the future of St. Petersburg, The People’s Budget Review has compiled several policy proposals meant to enhance what residents say they like about their city, what they would like to change about their city, and what they want St. Petersburg to be 10 years from now," the group said in a statement on its website. "The specifics of these proposals still need to be developed through continued public engagement and input from local stakeholders, but we believe that they offer a starting point to begin building the city that residents have envisioned."

Wednesday's forum is the second of three public budget forums. The forum will take place at 6 p.m. at the J.W. Cate Center, 5801 22nd Ave. N.

For a full review of the People's Budget Review proposals, click here. 

At the first budget summit, the People's budget review told Mayor Bill Foster and city council that the budget process should start with a vision first, then numbers. 

In its first survey the People's Budget asked: what residents like about St. Pete, the one thing they would change about St. Pete and what St. Pete should be 10 years from now. 

Top likes were the waterfront, parks and downtown. Things survey respondents would change or focus on is more jobs/improve wages, improve public transportation, pier related and help midtown/Southside. In the next 10 years respondents said the city should focus on the economy, the environment and culture. 

"This is the vision of St. Petersburg from the people by the people," said Louis Brown III with the People's Budget Review at the April budget forum. "This should be the starting point of developing the budget."

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