Case studies Revenue and bond measures

Rewriting the Story

Years after a corruption scandal, a city needed funding for essential services and aging infrastructure. Residents still doubted its word. We helped the city earn trust before asking for revenue.

Client
City government
Engagement
Local funding measure
Our role
Public information for the city

Results

Passed

Local funding measure, with support from some earlier opponents

+30 pts

Public trust in city leadership, per community polling

Background

The city had a history of corruption and mismanagement. New leadership was in place, but residents were wary, local coverage was skeptical, and public meetings carried real distrust.

City officials were preparing a measure to strengthen essential services and repair infrastructure. They needed residents to believe the money would be handled well.

Our work

  1. Community perception research

    A community perception audit combined opinion research, interviews, and a review of public conversation. Residents were open to investing in the city if they could see how the money would be handled.

  2. Clear information on spending and oversight

    Plain visuals on where every dollar would go, open forums with real answers, and consistent information on oversight and accountability.

  3. Speaking to the city’s history

    Leadership acknowledged the city’s history and explained the oversight built into the measure.

  4. Multilingual outreach

    Multilingual outreach from the start, with community ambassadors and local media partners.

Outcome

The measure passed with strong support, including from some residents who had opposed the city in the past. Community polling showed public trust in city leadership up 30 points.

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