Mount Shasta authorizes up to $60,000 for voter research, outreach on possible tax measures

The Mount Shasta City Council voted to issue a request for proposals, with a budget cap of $60,000, for a firm to conduct voter opinion research and public outreach related to potential local tax measures.

City Manager Todd summarized the rationale: after recent failed measures, the city seeks professional polling and sensitivity-testing to determine which tax levels and funding mixes could pass, to craft ballot language and to build outreach and campaign infrastructure. He described three tasks for the proposed contractor: voter opinion research and sensitivity testing; drafting language for potential measures; and coordinating grassroots outreach and a “ground game.”

Councilors debated the proposal. One councilor opposed hiring a firm and argued for placing a quarter-cent measure on the ballot without spending on research. Other councilors cited the city’s revenue shortfall and the difficulty of passing measures without professional outreach; one councilor noted the difference in revenue between a quarter-point and a half-point tax, and said professional help can assess likely outcomes. Staff said the RFP would include firms’ track records and references and that at least one firm likely would bid below the cap.

A councilor moved to approve the RFP with a budget not to exceed $60,000; the motion was seconded and carried with recorded “ayes” from multiple councilors and at least one vocal “opposed” in discussion. Council members asked staff to include references and success records in the RFP and to clarify whether contracted work would include campaign-type outreach; staff responded the proposal covers polling, messaging and paid outreach activities the city may lawfully fund and coordinate as part of informational research and community engagement.

The city will release the RFP and return to council with recommended firms and the proposed contract.