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

By the Numbers:

Oakland County Parks and Recreation

• 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

• Always successful –

passed 7 times since 1966

• Currently a 10-year millage
• 4 millages were for five-

year periods; in 1990 voters approved the 10-year term

• 2010 Total revenue

from millage = $15.1 million

• 12.8 million

forecasted for 2011

$ 1 7 5 ,0 0 0 Hom e- $ 2 1 for Oakland County Parks

Millage Awareness Efforts

• Efforts began 18 months before the vote
• Theme “We value what you value” was

based on a recreation needs assessment

• 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

• rganization

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

By an affirmative vote of 7 6 .4 6 % , 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.

SUCCESS STORY!

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

• holes. Solicit volunteer teams to

install and uninstall the signs.

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What did we learn? What would we do differently? GIS Mapping is an effective way to pinpoint coverage with signs. Map only the more visible and effective 3x5 signs (not yard signs). What did we learn? What would we do differently? We received great support from community service groups who requested

• ur presentation for their meetings.

To increase coverage, contact these groups a year or more in advance to schedule speaking

• pportunities at their meetings.

Have signs and materials available at the meetings.

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What did we learn? What would we do differently? Residents and groups were overwhelmingly supportive of our millage efforts. Actually we ARE doing this: Continue to generate and nurture relationships and provide exceptional customer service and facilities during non-millage years. Staff continually hears our mantra:

Every day is m illage day

• Property Value Decline

DestinationOakland.com

Questions