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One of FM3's
particular specialties is providing custom-designed surveys and focus
groups for local government agencies. Often, local governments use FM3
research as a management tool to measure public satisfaction with the
delivery of services and to gauge public response to local government
policy and program initiatives. FM3 has conducted dozens of these
"customer satisfaction" surveys for local government clients. Our
firm's research has helped cities, counties, school districts, and other
local government jurisdictions set budget priorities, measure progress
toward performance goals, and craft new program and policy initiatives to
respond to the public's needs.
In addition, FM3
provides research help local governments win voter approval for funding
measures, including bonds and the variety of general and special tax
increments that are vital to sustaining a responsible level of local public
services. FM3 applies its expertise through voter surveys and other
research techniques to first ascertain the feasibility of passing a funding
increment ballot measure and then, if that measure is to be placed on the
ballot, to help shape the communications for winning the necessary approval
from voters.
Bond and special tax
measures are not easy to pass in the best of times. And now, in the current
climate of economic uncertainty, cutbacks in state funding for basic
services and possible tax increases to offset major state budget deficits,
winning voters approval for such measures is has become more difficult. In
California, gaining the two-thirds super-majority for passing bonds and
dedicated special taxes is even more daunting.
To succeed in this
electoral environment, accurate, reliable and strategically useful voter
opinion research is an essential tool. For example, an initial baseline
survey can determine the overall feasibility and voter acceptance of a bond
or special tax measure at different funding levels. It can test how voters
respond to different versions of the ballot title and summary, and through
analysis of respondent demographics and past voting patterns, it can help
determine which election calendar promises the greatest likelihood of
success. The same survey can also determine the effectiveness of the
rationales and arguments that might be offered for and against a bond or
special tax measure, thus helping shape the proponents' best public
arguments.
In the past decade
alone, FM3 has helped local governments, as well as K-12 and community
college districts, pass tens of billions of dollars worth of bonds. And we
have been instrumental in winning voter approval for parcel taxes, special
assessment districts, local sales taxes, utility user taxes and other special
taxes that contribute to sustaining essential local services and assuring a
desirable quality of life at the community level.
FM3 believes it
offers several advantages to local governments. As materials on this
website show, FM3 has conducted voter opinion research for a broad array of
local governments, from the small and rural to the large and more socially
complex. FM3's work is custom designed to fit the circumstances since every
bond or special tax measure election has both unique and familiar
qualities. FM3 will work with a client to perfect ballot language and voter
pamphlet arguments using its empirical data as a guide. FM3 also can assist
local governments and their communications consultants develop strategies
for public education programs, as well as - where appropriate - advertising
messages for an election campaign.
To see a presentation
further detailing some of the uses of survey research for local
governments, click
here. To view a list of some of FM3's public-sector clients, click here.
We would welcome the
opportunity to further discuss your needs and FM3's qualifications and
capabilities. Please feel free to contact us at 310-828-1183, or at fm3research@fm3research.com.
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