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The polls are open and Londoners are voting for their favorite neighborhood projects in five city boroughs. As the council considers shelving the programme, the LFP’s Jack Moulton looks at how it works.

WHAT IS DECISION MAKING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

Launched in 2017, the city’s program allows residents in five parts of the city to submit ideas for neighborhood improvements and then vote for their favorite projects in their region within a $50,000 budget.

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The five zones include the northeast, northwest, center, southeast and southwest. The total budget of $250,000 is drawn from the city’s annual maintenance support budget.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

In order to represent London’s growing population and the popularity of the program, the city recently renewed regional boundaries to distribute the population more equitably and keep neighborhoods together. Also modified, residents will have the option to vote for one large project worth more than $15,000 and up to three smaller ones worth less.

Jennifer Martino, city manager of nneighborhood development and support, said this latest change was intended to ensure that a couple of large projects did not dominate the budget.

“This way we can make sure we fund a big infrastructure improvement in an area like a park, but we also know we have room for things like utility box murals and neighborhood cultural events,” he said.

Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, playgrounds, trees, benches, trails, sports court improvements, and even chess or table tennis tables. Family events and community art are also eligible for funding.

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WHAT DOES THIS YEAR LOOK LIKE?

Martino said Londoners have already largely expressed interest since voting opened Monday on the 99 projects across the city this year.

“On one day of online voting, over 1,500 people voted, which is a great start,” he said. “One of the in-person voting sites ran out of ballots on the first day and they already asked for more.

“Londoners seem really committed to the programme.”

Idea submissions and voting numbers have increased each year since the program was canceled in 2020, Martino said. Last year saw a 40 percent increase in ideas submitted and a 28 percent increase in voting, and this year things are on track to break records.

Residents especially appreciate connecting with city staff before, during and after voting, he said. Ideas can be worked on in a workshop before being submitted or put on the city council’s radar after the vote. even if you don’t win.

WHY MIGHT IT BE ARCHIVED?

Although this year’s vote is not affected, Mayor Josh Morgan’s 2025 budget update proposes pause and review the program through 2027, based on a suggestion from a council working group convened by Morgan to reduce property tax increases over the next three years.

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Several politicians suggested that neighborhood decision-making was a “good” program, but that improvements to parks and neighborhoods would be better determined by city council staff rather than a popularity contest.

Critics of the cut say it suspends one of the few methods of direct civic participation outside of elections. will deprive residents of their local government.

The program still has a chance to continue as politicians look to intervene in the budget later this month.

HOW CAN YOU VOTE?

Londoners can vote online through the city website until Saturday at 8 p.m., or in person according to business hours at:

• Boyle Memorial Community Center
• Hamilton Road Senior Community Center
• Kiwanis Senior Community Center
• Carling Heights Optimistic Community Center
• North London Optimist Community Center
• Stronach Community Recreation Center
• Eastern Lions Community Center
• Byron Optimist Community Center
• South London Community Center
• Canada Games Aquatic Center

Can’t vote during the week? On Saturdays only, residents can vote at London Public Library branches from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 519-661-8410.

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