DestinationOakland.com Oakland County 1 .2 m illion residents, 9 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

DestinationOakland.com

Oakland County–  1 .2 m illion residents, 9 1 0 m iles  6 2 units of governm ent  1 4 4 0 lakes  5 m ajor river system s

Oakland County Parks By the and Recreation Numbers:  1 3 parks encom passing 6 ,7 0 0 acres:  6 8 m iles of trails  3 dog parks  2 w aterparks  5 golf courses  2 cam pgrounds  1 nature center  1 .5 m illion local and regional visitors annually  6 7 full-tim e staff  7 0 0 part-tim e staff

Annual Budget $25 million

Oakland County Parks and Recreation .25 mil $ 1 7 5 ,0 0 0 Hom e- $ 2 1 for Oakland County Parks    Always successful – 4 millages were for five- 2010 Total revenue passed 7 times since 1966 year periods; in 1990 from millage = $15.1 voters approved the million  Currently a 10-year millage 10-year term  12.8 million forecasted for 2011

Millage  Efforts began 18 months before the vote  Theme “We value what you value” was Awareness based on a recreation needs assessment Efforts  Conducting consistent research and using the results to guide strategic planning efforts is important  Cost-effective web-based and electronic communications were emphasized

Top Five Successes  Built connections with community leaders  Engaged staff to interact with and educate park users, special interest groups and volunteers  Created “What you Value” communication pieces  Used viral marketing efforts including emails to park users and social media  Received support from Citizens for Oakland County Parks and Recreation, a 501.c4 organization

Challenges Gaining “buy-in” from staff that it w as everyone’s job to pass the m illage, not just the m illage aw areness team .  Monthly supervisors meeting  Supervisors passed information to their staff  Count-down in weekly employee e-newsletter Obtaining greater coverage in south Oakland County for yard signs and 3 ’ x 5 ’ signs.  Staff members submitted contacts  Created map to concentrate efforts based on voter turnout  Staff took smaller yard signs for neighborhood distribution  Volunteer work teams installed larger signs

SUCCESS By an affirmative vote of 7 6 .4 6 % , STORY! the people of Oakland County voted to renew the parks system’s 10-year millage August 3. That was the highest-ever approval rating for an Oakland County Parks and Recreation millage.

DestinationOakland.com The day after the election – volunteer What crews placed red “Thank You” stickers on did the 3’ x 5’ signs throughout the county. we Public feedback to this was very positive. learn? What would Order enough stickers for we do BOTH sides of the signs! differently? What The 3x5 signs were very visible and did very well received. we learn? To increase efficiencies, produce What would signs that do not require an we do independent frame and footing differently? holes. Solicit volunteer teams to install and uninstall the signs.

DestinationOakland.com GIS Mapping is an effective way to What pinpoint coverage with signs. did we learn? Map only the more visible What would and effective 3x5 signs we do (not yard signs). differently? We received great support from What community service groups who requested did our presentation for their meetings. we learn? To increase coverage, contact What would these groups a year or more in we do advance to schedule speaking differently? opportunities at their meetings. Have signs and materials available at the meetings.

DestinationOakland.com • Property Value Decline What Residents and groups were overwhelmingly did supportive of our millage efforts. we learn? Actually we ARE doing this: What would Continue to generate and we do nurture relationships and differently? provide exceptional customer service and facilities during non-millage years. Staff continually hears our mantra: Every day is m illage day

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