EAST LANSING, Mich. — The City of East Lansing is excited to announce the launch of Polco, an innovative engagement platform where residents can have input in their local government’s decision-making process. This launch coincides with the City’s implementation of Priority Based Budgeting – a priority-driven approach to budgeting that enables resources to be allocated to the programs and services that provide the greatest value to residents.
By using Polco, the City of East Lansing is making public participation easier for residents by meeting them where they are. The City will post questions directly to residents regularly via Polco’s app and website, and residents can begin sharing their feedback by downloading the Polco app for Android or iOS, or by visiting https://polco.us/eastlansing and signing up. The service is free to all residents.
As a part of its Polco launch, the City of East Lansing has posted its first round of questions on the platform, which will help establish a baseline for residents’ thoughts and perceptions about the East Lansing community. Residents can expect a new round of questions to be published every second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
“Residents are encouraged to use this new tool to share feedback that will help guide us in making important decisions here at the City, from the direction of our downtown to budgeting priorities, placemaking efforts and more,” said East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. “This platform provides citizens who are unable to make it out to our public meetings with an easy, online option for sharing their ideas and input on a variety of topics.”
Polco is committed to a strict policy where they only share aggregated, de-identified results. Participants’ individual data and votes are never shared. Community members with questions about Polco can contact the East Lansing City Manager’s Office at (517) 319-6920.