How to Prepare a Successful Tax and Bond Proposal

1. How to Preparea 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. Results • Case Study A - Passes with over 70% support • Case Study B - Fails with only 28% support 16