Citizen budget participation encompasses programs that involve residents directly in municipal budget decisions, going beyond traditional public consultation. Approaches range from participatory budgeting (where residents directly vote on how to allocate a portion of the budget) to citizen panels reviewing budget proposals, online budget simulators helping residents understand tradeoffs, and priority-setting surveys. These programs aim to improve democratic legitimacy, increase public understanding of budget constraints, and ensure spending reflects community values. Successful programs require meaningful resident influence—not just token consultation—and must reach beyond the usual engaged participants to include diverse voices.