575/5/2025
Fort Bend County, TX – In a bold step toward inclusive governance and fiscal transparency, Fort Bend County recently concluded its 2nd Annual Participatory Budget Town Hall Series, hosted by Precinct 4 County Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy. The two dynamic sessions, held on April 24 and May 3, 2025, invited local residents to take a direct role in shaping the county’s financial future, offering a hands-on opportunity to influence the 2026 fiscal year budget.
Fort Bend County residents participate in the 2nd Annual Participatory Budget Town Hall Series Events. The town halls drew a diverse crowd of engaged residents eager to explore how their tax dollars could best serve the community. Attendees gathered both in person and online via Facebook Live, joining a powerful movement toward collaborative decision-making. With more than 100 additional survey submissions received both online and in person over the past three weeks, Commissioner McCoy’s office has amassed valuable community insight that will guide budget priorities moving forward.
“This is more than just a town hall — it’s democracy in action,” said Commissioner McCoy. “We’re giving everyday people a seat at the table to decide how their government invests in them.”
Fort Bend County residents participate in the 2nd Annual Participatory Budget Town Hall Series Events.A Hands-On Budgeting Experience
Participants were given a simulated budget of $100 and asked to distribute it among five essential categories:
Law Enforcement and Probation
Community Resources
Court System Support
Health Services
Infrastructure
The exercise was designed to mirror real-life trade-offs and highlight differences between public perception and actual county spending. After submitting their individual allocations, attendees were shown how the county currently divides that $100 in the fiscal 2025 budget. This side-by-side comparison opened the floor for discussion and debate about budget priorities, resource needs, and equity.
During the in-person sessions, participants were grouped and provided with wooden tokens representing their $100. Each person explained their spending choices to the group, sparking conversations about public safety, healthcare access, road conditions, and the justice system. The format allowed attendees to reconsider their decisions after hearing from their neighbors, promoting consensus-building and deeper understanding.
Fort Bend County residents participate in the 2nd Annual Participatory Budget Town Hall Series Events.Building a People-Centered Budget
A total of 41 community members attended the town halls in person, reflecting a growing interest in transparent government and participatory policy-making. Fort Bend County Budget Office representatives were also on hand to answer questions and provide clarity on the intricacies of county finances.
The interactive nature of the events empowered residents to speak candidly about their lived experiences and policy priorities — from investing more in mental health services and youth programs to improving road infrastructure and funding more culturally competent court support.
“Budgeting is about values,” McCoy noted. “This process helps us understand what our residents value most, and how we can meet them where they are.”
Ongoing Opportunities to Participate
Residents who were unable to attend the in-person events still have the opportunity to weigh in. The participatory budget survey remains open through May 31, 2025, and is available in both English and Spanish, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility.
Fort Bend County residents participate in the 2nd Annual Participatory Budget Town Hall Series Events.A Model for Equitable Governance
As Fort Bend County continues to evolve and grow, initiatives like this participatory budget tour stand out as powerful models of civic engagement. By transforming everyday citizens into co-authors of the county’s financial story, Commissioner Dexter L. McCoy is building not just a budget — but a stronger, more connected community.
For more info, visit FortBendCountyTX.gov