Parks in Fresno:
Planning for a
Sustainable
Future
Amanda Brown-Stevens and Andrew Flynn, April 26, 2016

 The Trust for Public Land
• We have a proven record of success.
– We’ve worked for more than 40 years to conserve land for
people.
– Since 1972, we’ve completed more than 5,000 park and
conservation projects across 47 states, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands, conserving more than 3 million acres of land,
from the inner city to the wilderness.
– We are the national leader in creating public funds for land
conservation, working with states, counties, and cities to
generate nearly $60 billion for local conservation efforts since
1996.
– We’ve created, sustained, or supported 340 local land trusts
nationwide.

 The Trust for Public Land record of success

 

 

LandVote

STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND SPECIAL DISTRICT MEASURES 1998-2015

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Key Steps for Successful Ballot Measures
Feasibility Research
Public Opinion Survey
Program Recommendations
Ballot Language

Campaign

 Step 1 – Feasibility Research
• Community overview
• Finance options
• Past measures
• What has worked
in other states
• New ideas
• Fiscal capacity
• What financing
limitations exist
• Political profile
• Political
considerations
7/25/2016

 Step 1 – Feasibility Research Cont.
Technical path to the ballot
• Legislation needed
• Election history
• Election requirements
• Ballot language
requirements
• Timeline/pathways to the
ballot

7/25/2016

 Step 1 – Feasibility Research Cont.
Bond Financing Costs for Polk County
20-year Bond Issues at 1.8% Interest Rate*
Total County Taxable Value = $20.25 billion (Source: County Auditor)
Annual
Cost/ Year/
Cost/ Year/
Tax Rate
Bond Issue Size
Debt Svce
Increase $100K home**
Avg AV***
$30,000,000
$1,799,482
0.089
$5
$6
$40,000,000
$2,399,309
0.118
$6
$8
$50,000,000
$2,999,136
0.148
$8
$10
$75,000,000
$4,498,705
0.222
$11
$16
$85,000,000
$5,098,532
0.252
$13
$18
$100,000,000
$5,998,273
0.296
$15
$21
*Interest rate confirmed by county finance office.
**$100K market value; estimated taxable value $50,571.
***Average home value is median residential assessment $137.200 w / 50.7518
rollback = $69,631 (rounded to $70,000). Polk County Assessor.

 Step 2 – Public Opinion Survey
Methodology: random sample of voters, telephone
or combined telephone/internet
Why poll?
• Reality test – will voters support the measure?
• Determine the strongest messages – are there
messages that can convince undecided voters to
the yes column?
• Determine who are the best messengers to
deliver the message.

 Step 2 Public Opinion Survey

"What are the one or two main reasons you
would vote on this proposal??

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Step 3 – Program Recommendations
After initial research, and in consultation with
stakeholders, we offer recommendations on:
• Funding source
• Any legislation needed
• Amount (and duration)
• Purposes/Uses of funds
• Timing (choice of election date)
• Management/Accountability

 Step 4&5 – Ballot Language and (privately
funded) Campaign
Prepare for Success!
• The Trust for Public Land works with the
public agency to develop the ballot
language that, within legal limits, is most
effective
• The Trust for Public Land can work with a
privately funded campaign to advocate for
passage of a measure

 Next Steps
• Connect research
team to key staff
• Provide input on
ideas for funding
mechanisms
• Review and provide
input on initial draft
once complete