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2026 Participatory Budgeting Cycle

2026 Participatory Budgeting Cycle

Sanford City Council has opened a new round of participatory budgeting, a process that gives residents the ultimate say in which one of three community enhancement projects will be funded during the current fiscal year.

How it works: Council has selected three potential projects that are feasible, sustainable, will have a positive community impact, and are estimated to have a one-time cost of $20,000 or less.

City residents can cast one vote each through October 25, 2026. Only one vote per person will be counted.

Vote in person at any of these locations:

  • Upper lobby of the Sanford Municipal Center (225 E. Weatherspoon St)
  • Public Works Service Center (501 N. Fifth St)
  • Ground floor lobby of the Sanford Buggy Company (115 Chatham St)

The winning project will be annouced in November.

The Projects

Option 1: SANFORD metal letters at the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace

Add 4-feet-tall metal, permanent, weather-resistant letters that spell Sanford near the Pilgrim’s Sanford Agricultural Marketplace to serve as a local landmark and photo destination.

Option 2: Artistic benches in City parks

Install permanent, weather-resistant artistic benches in key City parks to provide both seating and photo opportunities.

Option 3: Decorative crosswalks at Kiwanis Family Park

Decorate the crosswalks at Kiwanis Family Park with weather-resistant designs to celebrate creativity while enhancing visibility.

Note: All images above are for example only.

CAST YOUR VOTE

Learn more about Participatory Budgeting in Sanford on our website!

Cast Your Vote!

Project Phases

Community Voting

October 2026

Results Announced

November 2026

Implementation

by June 30, 2027

Project Images