1. How to Prepare a Successful Tax and Bond Proposal Troy Corder Policy Development Group

2. Get the lay of the land Upcoming City Elections Upcoming School Bond Elections Controversial Issues Current Political Environment Citizen Attitude

3. Identify Key Election Dates Ballot language due to the county Last day to submit ballot arguments Last day to mail publicity pamphlet First day to early vote Last day to register to vote Election Day

4. When should you hold the election General Election vs. Off-year Election Do you have enough time to involve the community Do you have enough time for an effective education campaign

5. Citizens Advisory Committee Work with Mayor and Council to identify members of the community to serve on your Citizen’s Advisory Committee Members of advisory committee must represent the diverse population of the city They will work with city staff to develop proposal

6. Citizens Advisory Committee Citizens advisory committee reports findings and recommendations to City Manager and Council Hold town hall meetings with Council and Citizens Advisory Committee soliciting feedback from residents Conduct focus groups testing proposal Reach out to Fire and Police

7. Town Halls Hold town halls in every council district Develop display boards describing proposal Send invitations to citizens in water bills Use website, city television, city newsletter and newspaper display ads Conduct formal presentation with time after for questions and answers

8. Put the proposal on the ballot Citizen Advisory group reports to City Manager and Council final recommendations Council holds public hearing on proposal Council refers proposal to voters and adopts ballot language

9. Education Campaign Do not advocate for a yes vote! Develop an education campaign timeline Identify city resources (newsletters, city television, water bills, etc.) Create a public speaking calendar with upcoming meetings (HOA, PTA, and local service clubs) Develop communication tools

10. Education Campaign Timeline

11. Communication Tools Talking points for elected officials and Citizen Advisory Committee PowerPoint presentations Brochure Copy and creative for website and newsletter Social Media (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

12. Media Strategy Setup press briefings and editorial boards Walk reporters through the community involvement process Discuss the benefits of the package Create letters to the editors the Council and Citizen Advisory Committee chair

13. It is time for the campaign to start The city can not advocate for a yes vote but can continue with education campaign Key stakeholders in the community will form an election committee to fund campaign (direct mail, early voter program, etc.) Elected officials can advocate for a yes vote Fire and police unions can advocate for a yes vote

14. Case Studies - Case Study A Started process in Spring Created Bond Committee Held open houses in every district Bond included public safety component (Firefighters support bond) Mayor secured private funding for a yes campaign

15. Case Study B Process started in Spring Bond committee created in Spring Committee meetings are poorly attended School district bond election on same ballot No private funding for a Yes campaign Firefighters do not publicly support bond

16. 16 Results Case Study A - Passes with over 70% support Case Study B - Fails with only 28% support 16