Transcript How to Prepare a Successful Tax and Bond Proposal

How to Prepare a
Successful Tax and
Bond Proposal
Troy Corder
Policy Development Group
Get the lay of the land





Upcoming City Elections
Upcoming School Bond Elections
Controversial Issues
Current Political Environment
Citizen Attitude
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Education Campaign Timeline
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.)
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
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
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
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
Results


Case Study A - Passes with over 70%
support
Case Study B - Fails with only 28% support
16
16