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Rio Vista council prioritizes low-cost outreach for Measure K, declines $30,000 SRI contract
Summary
Staff proposed multiple outreach options for Measure K (1¢ sales tax) and offered, but did not recommend, contracting Strategy Research Institute (SRI) for up to $30,000; council declined the SRI option and prioritized town halls, water-bill stuffers, website updates and rapid social-media response before ballots go out Sept. 17.
City staff outlined a suite of outreach steps for Measure K, the proposed 1¢ transaction-and-use tax, and presented an optional contract with Strategy Research Institute (SRI) to develop outreach materials for up to $30,000. The city manager cautioned that SRI’s timeline and cost extended beyond the immediate window before ballots are mailed and said staff were not recommending that contract.
The manager said staff have already posted a Measure K tab on the city website, will prepare an FAQ, can create a recorded video of the presentation for the web, and can use weekly and monthly reports, posters, the Rio Vista Beacon and Radio Rio to reach residents. Staff emphasized they must remain objective in staff-produced material but noted council members could write editorials in a personal capacity.
Mayor and council members signaled reluctance to spend $30,000 on outside contractors given tight city finances. The mayor said, "I just don't see it," and the council agreed to pass on SRI and instead prioritized rapid, low-cost outreach tactics: town halls in downtown, Trilogy and Liberty Island, water-bill stuffers, targeted email or Mailchimp blasts (a resident offered lists and help), and close monitoring of social media so staff or councilors can quickly correct misinformation.
Council members also cautioned outreach language not to overpromise project outcomes (one council member noted that $1.7 million per year over five years would total about $8.5 million and might not cover a new police station in full, so messaging should prioritize accuracy). Staff said they would prioritize materials for distribution before ballots are mailed (anticipated vote-by-mail packet date Sept. 17).
Next steps: Staff will proceed with low-cost outreach strategies, prepare FAQ and web materials, coordinate town halls and finalize a rapid-response plan for social media. The SRI contract option was declined.
