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Council receives community needs survey; approves $20,000 contract to Lou Edwards Group for outreach

Rancho Palos Verdes City Council · March 18, 2026

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Summary

City consultants told the council the community survey showed voter support for hypothetical measures (including a transient occupancy tax increase to 13% polling about 70%); council approved a $20,000 agreement with the Lou Edwards Group to produce educational materials, with not-to-exceed authorization of $60,000 for additional services.

City consultants presented findings from a February 2026 community needs survey of 412 registered Rancho Palos Verdes voters and the council approved a staff recommendation to award an agreement to the Lou Edwards Group for ballot-measure outreach and strategic communications.

FM3 partner Richard Bernard summarized the survey methodology and results: the dual-mode survey (phone and online) polled 412 likely voters with a margin of error of roughly —94.9. When asked about a hypothetical increase in the transient occupancy tax (TOT) from 10% to 132, respondents initially registered about 70% support (definitely/probably/lean yes). Bernard said providing educational statements about uses and accountability increased the intensity of support: the share saying they would "definitely" vote yes rose from about 39% to 53% in simulation.

City staff explained the Lou Edwards Group proposal: a two-phase educational outreach effort with an initial $10,000 phase for materials and a $10,000 second phase; staff recommended a $20,000 initial scope with a not-to-exceed amount of $60,000 if ongoing services were required. Staff clarified the city cannot advocate for ballot outcomes but can provide informational materials about fiscal conditions and ballot implications.

Council members discussed timing and the value of tracking surveys closer to an election. After deliberation the council moved and unanimously approved the staff recommendation to receive the survey results and award the agreement to the Lou Edwards Group.

The agreement will allow staff to prepare transparent, educational content on fiscal conditions and potential uses for any future ballot measures; the council did not authorize placing a measure on the ballot that night.