Tools for Communication Marketing Surveys and Outreach ICMA

Tools for Communication: Marketing, Surveys and Outreach ICMA Conference, San Diego October 19, 2004

Los Alamos County, New Mexico Ø Home of Los Alamos National Laboratory Ø Highly Educated and Involved Citizenry Ø Consolidated City and County Government Ø 18, 500 population Ø $133 million annual budget in FY 2005 Ø $32. 6 million General Fund budget

The Tool Menu Ø Bi-annual Citizen Perception Survey Ø Website Ø Ø www. lac-nm. us Communications Using Media Project Communications Issue Communications Kan-Du Center

Citizen Perception Survey Ø Done Bi-annually for trending of responses Ø Random Phone Survey of 500 households Ø Statistically Valid Ø Used in Goal Setting by Council Ø Used in Council’s Budget Guidance to Staff Ø Used in Annual Goal Setting for Employees

Website www. lac-nm. us Ø The Survey Says over 95% Have Access Ø Print Ads – reinforce this as a resource Ø Advertise in other ways ie. giveaways Ø Events Information Ø Project Pages using Project Management Ø Public Comment Database Ø Commit to keep it current and updated!

Media Communications Ø Community Newspaper - #1 source of info Ø News Releases to Get Our Story Out There Ø Media Relations is Extremely Important ü Not Just the “Bad News” ü Feature Articles on People, Projects & Issues ü Could Do This Without a PIO ü “Good News” and “Bad News” Days Ø Radio & TV is 30 Second Sound Bites

Project Communications Ø Public Input: Ask Early, Ask Often Ø Vary meeting styles: Open House, Formal Presentation, or a Combination of the two Ø Seasonal Open Houses of Upcoming Projects at early, “conceptual” stage ü Media Advertisement ü Posters of Concepts, Maps ü Correct Staff Presence – keep it informal! Ø 30, 60 & 95% Design: “Did we get it right? ” Ø Neighborhood Block Party – on their “turf” Ø Light Refreshments Help Bring People

Issue Communications Ø Citizen Advocates—Your Champions Ø Vary media – feature stories (print), monthly interviews (radio), County Forum (TV) Ø Fact Sheets – send one, consistent message Ø Annual publications – tell your story & news üSpring/Summer & Fall/Winter tabloids Ø Website – encourage interaction “after hours” üTraditional: agendas, announcements üNew approach: on-line

Kan-Du Center Ø One Stop Shop for Information Ø “ 311” or an Easy Phone Number Ø Database of Requests & Information Ø Functions ie. Cashiering, Receptionist Ø The Right Kind of Employees is Critical Ø Eases calls to Councilors or Busy Staff Ø Helps with internal communication too

And The Lesson Is: Communicate There is never too much, or even enough It Builds Trust in City Hall, and in You!

For Follow Up: Max Baker, Deputy County Administrator Los Alamos County 2300 Trinity Drive Los Alamos, NM 87544 505 -662 -8080 Bakerm@lac. losalamos. nm. us Julie Habiger, Public Information Officer Los Alamos County 2300 Trinity Drive Los Alamos, NM 87544 505 -662 -8083 Habigerj@lac. losalamos. nm. us