RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The latest phase of the People's Budget Project is here. Starting on Tuesday, April 1, residents will have the chance to decide how $3 million should be used to fund community projects. After months of brainstorming ideas, and creating proposals a team of delegates narrow ed down a list of 1,900 ideas, to about 10 projects per district. Residents aged 14 or older are able to vote for their top three projects in order of preference. The project that reaches above 50% of public vote will be the first to get funded. The Richmond City Council says this ranked voting method gives more projects a fair chance and promotes community-wide impact. "It's an opportunity for folks to think about the project that prioritizes them and their neighborhood and then think about two other projects or ideas that could be impacting folks in surrounding neighborhoods, but still within their district," said Leidiana Delgado, civic engagement coordinator for Richmond City Council. The proposals cover a number of issues like bus seating and shelters, park improvements and pedestrian safety. Loretta Banks-Blue was one of the first people to cast her vote at an in-person site. She said it was important for her to have in say in how the money will be invested into her community."Money in the past has been spent, we didn't know where it to," Banks-Blue said. "I feel good as a citizen and a ninth district resident because sometimes, people think people don't care, but we really do care," Mayor Danny Avula's proposed budget did not include direct funding for the people's budget project. However, during his speech, the Mayor said he's committed to the concept. The mayor's office also explained that funding decisions for this project will be made by the city council."This is a city council-led initiative, and they have the power of the budget now, and they're going to look to put this in," Delgado said. "This is a promise that they made to constituents, back in 2019 so they're going to make it happen." The voting process will continue online and in-person through Tuesday, April 15. Once the winning proposals are announced the project will move into the funding phase in July. ...read more read less