IT staff outlines My Encinitas app outreach plan, sets user-growth target for FY2025–26

Kieran of the City of Encinitas IT department presented the My Encinitas mobile app to the Youth Commission on Oct. 1 and said staff aims to add 1,289 new users in fiscal year 2025–26 — a 20% increase from the prior year.

Kieran described the app as “your digital city hall,” a place where residents can report issues and find city updates. He outlined outreach tactics that include printed QR codes on flyers and business window clings, banners at city events, long-form videos on the city’s YouTube and broadcast channels, and social media amplification by the city manager’s communications staff.

Kieran told commissioners the app’s internal goals and statistics are being updated regularly and said staff had “just passed 200, looking to pass 400,” adding that the first two numbers shown in staff materials were accurate and that exact figures would be confirmed shortly. He encouraged commissioners to promote the app during events such as the holiday parade and proposed working with the youth commission on education components and short social-media videos.

Chair Kelly thanked Kieran for the presentation. Commissioner questions focused on how the app could be used for civic engagement and event promotion; Supervisor Camarena confirmed the app could be used for civic and community engagement and that staff would work with the youth commission to provide training and materials.

Kieran invited commissioners to offer ideas for outreach and improvement and offered to train commissioners and the staff liaison on using the app. He also encouraged commissioners and members of the public at the meeting to download the app via a posted QR code.

No formal action was taken on the item; it was presented as a special presentation in the meeting’s opening portion.