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ABSTRACT. Citizen participation in local government processes is touted as an effective means to enhance responsiveness and accountability. The topic has received considerable attention in the normative literature, yet there is persistent evidence that citizen participation occurs infrequently and has little influence on decision making. This study compares the perspectives of three different groups of stakeholders: elected officials, administrators, and citizens. Examination of the perspectives of these three groups of actors is important because it provides insight into the relationships between the groups and expectations regarding how input is used and how it influences decisions. Attention to these items can make participation more valuable and can inform other governments as they ponder how to align the priorities of different actors in their budgeting processes.
INTRODUCTION
The importance of citizen participation in the governance process has been stressed by both scholars and professional organizations since implementation of the Great Society programs in the 1960s. However, the literature demonstrates that opportunities for input into budget decisions are not prevalent. This is true early in the budget process, when public opinion would conceivably have the most impact on decision-making.
This study explores the manner in which two Kansas cities, Topeka and Wichita, have approached citizen participation in the budget process. Both cities have experimented with a variety of input mechanisms during budget development. The primary focus of the study is to compare the perspectives of three different groups of stakeholders: elected officials, administrators, and citizens. It examines how these groups interact and the relative level of influence of each in budget development. By examining the relationships between groups of actors and their expectations, insight can be gained into who should be involved and in what capacity. Attention to these items can make participation valuable for everyone involved. It can also inform other governments as they ponder how to align the priorities of different actors in their local budgeting processes.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Citizen participation has received increasing attention in the past decade. An expanded role for citizens in the governance process has been advocated by scholars (Box, 1998; King, Stivers & Associates, 1998; Schachter, 1997; Thomas, 1995; King, Feltey & Susel, 1998), and by professional organizations such as the International City/County Management Association (ICMA, 1999). The emphasis on...