Councilwoman Darby invites 2nd District residents to help decide how $20k will be spent

Councilwoman Shané Darby is inviting residents of Wilmington’s 2nd District to participate in a community-driven budgeting process that will determine how $20,000 in discretionary funds should be used. (Photo courtesy of Wilmington City Council)

WILMINGTON — Councilwoman Shané Darby is inviting residents of Wilmington’s 2nd District to participate in a community-driven budgeting process that will determine how $20,000 in discretionary funds should be used during the city’s 2026 fiscal year.

“As a local government entity, it is imperative that we strengthen civic participation and engagement,” said Councilwoman Darby. “Residents have a voice through participatory budgeting. They have the opportunity to vote on how I will allocate my discretionary funds to improve their neighborhoods.”

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Through this initiative, residents can submit their spending ideas online. The process is supported by a volunteer Steering Committee, which will oversee each phase of the Participatory Budgeting (PB) effort. Their responsibilities include creating guidelines, conducting outreach, working with city staff on implementation timelines, and facilitating a final vote on proposed projects.

Steering Committee members are also tasked with collecting ideas, helping develop proposals, and presenting the top three for a community-wide vote. They will meet monthly and help coordinate election week logistics and volunteer recruitment.

Residents who are unsure if they live in the 2nd District can check their eligibility by submitting their address through the online tool provided by the City Council. Those interested in sharing ideas but not serving on the Steering Committee may use the Participatory Budget Idea Form available on the City Council’s website.

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.