Voting starts on city’s public safety funding program

The two-week voting period for the “Voice of the Citizen” public safety budgeting has begun.

Mayor Thomas S. Richards dedicated up to $200,000 — up to $50,000 per city quadrant — to be spent on projects that were wholly created and developed by residents.

Ballots contain brief descriptions of the proposals.

Residents may vote for one action plan from their ballot as determined by the quadrant in which they live. Each city quadrant has its own ballot. Voters must be age 16 and older to vote and commercial properties are allowed one vote per address. The ballots contain a map to help voters determine which quadrant they live in as well as instructions.

In person voting locations include city branch libraries, the Central Library, City Hall, neighborhood service centers, the recreation administration building at 400 Dewey Ave. and larger city recreation and community centers. Residents may also vote online at www.cityofrochester.gov/youdecide.

After the voting period closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 16, the ballots will be tallied and the projects from each quadrant with the most votes will proceed to the implementation phase, which is scheduled to begin in January.