How to spend your money. It’s one of the most important decisions that City Council makes.

Each year, Austin’s City Council is responsible for setting a new city budget. This budget impacts everything from the quality of our local parks and libraries, to how much money you pay in property taxes, to the amount of money that’s available for supporting art and music programs.

Have opinions on any of these things? Now’s the time to get involved.

This year, the budgeting process is kicking off with a series of public forums, hosted by different volunteer boards and commissions. During the forums, you’ll be able to share your feedback on which city services you value the most and what goals you want them to set for the upcoming year.

The feedback will then be used by members of the boards and commissions as they make their official budget recommendations to City Council.

The forums begin on March 5th. You can look through the full schedule below.

• Tuesday, March 5th, 6pm, George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
  • Hosted by the African American Resource Advisory Commission
• Wednesday, March 6th, 6pm, City Hall Atrium
  • Hosted by the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission
• Friday, March 8th, 5pm, City Hall Atrium
  • Hosted by the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities
• Wednesday, March 13th, 6:30pm, Asian American Resource Center
  • Hosted by the Asian American Quality of Life Commission
• Saturday, March 23rd, 10am, Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center
  • Hosted by the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission
• Monday, March 25th, 5:30pm, City Hall Atrium
  • Hosted by the Human Rights Commission
• Monday, March 25th, 7pm, One Texas Center
  • Hosted by the Commission for Women
• Thursday, March 28th, 10am, Asian American Resource Center
  • Hosted by the Commission on Seniors
• Saturday, March 30th, 2pm, For The City Center
  • Hosted by the Commission on Immigrant Affairs