Operation: QUADRATIC

SITUATION

The City of Newberg is planning to transition to a biennial budget model after previous years of annual budgets. Issues that this presents touch every corner of city operations. For Community Engagement, the switch brings up issues of public engagement and transparency that will need to be addressed with clear communication and open access to information. It is recommended that the City establish a purpose and clear goals for communication, ideally with measurable markers of success.

MISSION - What

The city must communicate about the shift in the budget process and what ways the change will (or will not) affect taxpayers. These communications should also be organized internally so staff speak as one voice to anyone asking questions about these processes.

EXECUTION - How

Timeline/Steps:

Start as early as possible with public engagement to head off any potential misinformation and keep the process transparent.

Schedule: Public hearings, community forums, communications in utility bill/news media

Create public engagement assets: flyers, info brochures, social media posts, infographics, etc.

Special relationships: See communicator contact list.

Online Research:

https://www.gfoa.org/materials/public-engagement-in-the-budget-process

https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/finance/budgets/biennial-budgeting

ADMINISTRATION - Where

Locations to hold community forums: PSB – Denise Bacon Community Room, Chehalem Valley Chamber of Commerce, Cultural Center, Local businesses that might be willing to host an event

Other events to attend and distribute information: Chamber Greeters, table at Wednesday Market (ask questions, stick them on a whiteboard?)

Online survey to gather public opinion (won’t reach as many people in an older demographic/people who don’t have access to computers, may draw in a younger demographic)

COMMAND AND CONTROL – Who

Communicator contact list:

Other Community Organizations who should be privy to budget reports and information regarding any policy change.