Donald Gainsborough is a distinguished figure in public administration and a leading authority on legislative policy, currently steering the strategic direction of Government Curated. With a career defined by an deep understanding of how local governments can better serve their constituents, he has become a prominent voice on the integration of technology and civic engagement. In this conversation, we delve into the ambitious “Our Voice, Our Choice” initiative in Columbus, Ohio, where the city is decentralizing its budgeting process. By putting $9 million directly into the hands of residents through digital tools, Columbus is setting a new precedent for how urban infrastructure can be shaped by the people who use it every day.
How do you see the “Our Voice, Our Choice” initiative shifting the traditional power dynamics between city hall and the residents of Columbus?
This program represents a fundamental change in how a city communicates with its people by replacing bureaucratic assumptions with direct resident agency. By allocating a total of $9 million across nine districts, the city is effectively telling every resident that their specific neighborhood concerns—whether it’s a broken sidewalk or a dark park—are a priority. I have found that when you give each district $1 million to work with, it removes the usual barriers to engagement and makes the process feel tangible rather than abstract. It fosters a sense of local pride and responsibility, as residents transition from being passive observers of city spending to being the primary architects of their own environment.
The use of an open-source digital map is a centerpiece of this effort; how does this technology help bridge the gap between a resident’s simple suggestion and a professional city plan?
The platform, which was developed by the nonprofit One Project, serves as a sophisticated bridge that translates community sentiment into actionable spatial data. When a resident uses the digital map to pinpoint a specific location for an improvement, they aren’t just leaving a comment; they are providing city staff with a precise data point that eliminates traditional guesswork. We have already seen the community step up with 123 suggestions, covering everything from critical traffic safety measures like new bike lanes to the beautification of corridors with new trees. This transparency allows neighbors to see and support each other’s ideas, turning what used to be a closed-door budgeting session into a vibrant, public conversation.
Could you walk us through the life cycle of a proposal, from the initial submission on the digital platform to the final stage of implementation?
The process is designed to be rigorous yet accessible, beginning with an open submission phase that allows ideas to pour in until the deadline on August 28. Once those ideas are collected, the city enters a collaborative refinement phase where volunteer delegates from each of the nine districts work directly with city staff. They take those raw concepts, such as a request for better park amenities, and develop them into formal project proposals complete with professional cost estimates and technical feasibility studies. Finally, the power returns to the community in November and December for a city-wide vote, ensuring that the projects which move forward have the strongest possible mandate from the people.
Beyond the immediate construction projects, how does the data gathered from this platform influence the city’s long-term infrastructure strategy?
The real long-term value of this initiative lies in the massive aggregate of data that city leaders can use to “hone and target” future investments. Even if a specific project doesn’t win the final vote this year, the city now possesses a detailed map of resident priorities that can inform the broader capital improvements plan for years to come. By analyzing where suggestions are clustered, officials can identify systemic needs—like a recurring demand for sidewalk repairs in a specific area—that might have otherwise been overlooked. This creates a “menu of priorities” that serves as a permanent reference point, ensuring that future budgets are always grounded in the actual needs of the constituent base.
What is your forecast for the future of participatory budgeting across the United States?
I anticipate a rapid acceleration of this model, as we have already seen it grow from a single pilot in Chicago in 2009 to more than 500 localities across the country today. Major urban centers like Denver, New York City, and Boston are proving that this isn’t just a trend, but a necessary evolution of modern governance. As digital hubs and data visualizations become more sophisticated, as we recently saw in Rochester Hills, Michigan, the “Columbus model” will likely become the standard expectation for taxpayers. I believe that within the next decade, the cities that thrive will be those that view their residents not just as taxpayers, but as essential partners in the technical planning of their city’s future.
