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Commissioners approve $20,000 outreach plan for Parks & Recreation sales-tax referendum
Summary
The board approved a roughly $20,000 outreach and marketing plan for a Parks & Recreation sales-tax referendum, discussed messaging and advertising channels (direct mail, TV/video, digital geotargeting) and urged broad public information to help voters decide.
Dare County commissioners voted Aug. 10 to approve an outreach plan and budget of about $20,000 to inform voters about a proposed Parks & Recreation sales-tax referendum. County staff described a mixed plan that includes rack cards, direct mail, radio, a limited TV/video campaign and digital advertising; staff said the funds would come from contingency and that the marketing effort aims to reach a broad cross-section of residents.
The chair and other commissioners urged public education and accurate arithmetic about the referendum. The chair explained the rate as "0.25 of a penny" and that the measure would move the county rate "from 6.75¢ to 7¢." Commissioners and staff debated reach and impressions for various channels; marketing advisor Justin (Bateman) explained digital options including geofencing and ZIP-code targeting: "You can geofence with that" and noted digital buys can be limited to Dare County and targeted by demographic. Several commissioners framed the referendum as an investment in youth activities and public health, and a motion to approve the outreach plan was made, seconded and passed unanimously with staff directed to explore additional paid options and return with cost estimates if more reach is desired.
The board asked staff to consider outside marketing vendors and to work with internal resources and local firms to expand reach if needed. The outreach approval is procedural: it funds information dissemination and does not change the referendum proposal itself.
