Community Engagement (SLFRF)
Summer of 2021
The City of San Antonio conducted a widespread effort to gather input from residents on budget priorities. The budget process included both in person and survey data collection. Resident participation in the data collection was promoted through many channels, including:
- Paid digital radio
- Television
- Social media
- Print advertising
The City advertised paid and organic posts throughout June and July of 2021 to promote budget input and town hall events. The data collection surveys, and all promotional efforts were made available in English and Spanish.
1,884,310
Residents
Reached
9,400
Emails to Past
Survey Respondents
35,000
Mailers In
Targeted Areas
6,291
Engagements
465
Residents Attended
Town Hall Meeting
225
Yard Signs at
Parks & Libraries
Following the City Council Goal Setting session on June 25, 2021, the City extended the deadline to collect data from budget surveys.
City Council collaborated with Council Districts 1-6 to boost participation in underrepresented areas. Beyond the existing digital data collection method, printed budget surveys were added. Metro Health's Healthy Neighborhoods Team and the Department of Human Services collaborated to reach residents. Residents were assisted in filling out surveys at church events, senior centers, parks and during block walking events.
More paid social media advertising supplemented marketing efforts, such as:
- Direct mail pieces in targeted districts
- Printed materials supplied to City Council offices
- Giveaways
- Targeted social media posts
12,000
Budget Surveys
Completed
Fall 2021
City staff developed a proposal, that includes community priorities, for the funding from State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). The plan was presented at each of the 10 Council Districts through a series of in person, virtual and citywide telephone town hall meetings. Town hall meetings were being promoted using similar outreach methods used in the data collection process. Town hall meetings took place from mid-August through the first week in September of 2021. San Antonio residents were encouraged to participate in the town hall meetings. To increase participation, in person and virtual opportunities were provided to residents.
The City sought to understand the priorities of residents for the use of SLFRF funds. To obtain feedback from residents, the City conducted several community engagement events. In November 2021, the City hosted eight community meetings and conducted outreach to seniors. Widespread social media efforts were used to advertise the meetings and survey. The survey was made available from November 18 to December 1, 2021. A total of 2,417 surveys were completed and 593 residents participated at the town hall meetings through audience live polling.
8
Community
Meetings
2,417
Surveys
Completed
593
Residents
Participated
Further, the City Council requested that the Small Business Advisory Commission (SBAC) be engaged to discuss the needs and priorities of small businesses impacted by COVID-19. To collect feedback from the small business community, three public meetings with SBAC took place. These meetings occurred on November 17, November 29, and December 4, 2021.
SBAC received input from:
- A small business survey
- Two written statements
- Comments during the three listening sessions
Community Input Meetings
Small Business Input Meetings
Spring through Fall 2022
The City continued to engage with the community through the development of implementation plans from our spending framework categories. The spending framework categories include: Arts, Immigration Services (Non-Profit Social Services Phase I), Small Business, Youth, Seniors, and Non-Profit Social Services (Phase II).
The City Council approved all implementation plans, with pending approval of Digital Inclusion/ Literacy. City Council Committees met to guide plan development. During the approval process for program implementation plans, a plan is first approved by a Council Committee. Following committee approval, it goes before the City Council for consideration and approval.
Below describe the community engagement efforts that have occurred during implementation plan development:
- Meetings with the Public Safety; Economic & Workforce Development; and Community Health, Environment & Culture Council Committees
- Community meetings and outreach events, stakeholder meetings, and informational & technical assistance sessions for open Request for Proposals
- Meetings with various commissions and committees, such as the San Antonio Arts Commission, San Antonio Youth Commission, City/ County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs, Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio Coalition, South Texas Adult Protective Services Board, Bexar County Senior Advisory Committee, SA 2020 Commission on Education, and the Nonprofit Council