The City of Lake Forest Park intends on placing a Levy Lid Lift on the November 2025 general election ballot. This effort requires consultant services to support the city council and city administration in messaging and educating the public regarding the need for this levy.

Examples of required services include: Develop a public input and engagement plan that builds awareness, assesses community interest, and builds an understanding of the ballot measure and the opportunity to vote. Conduct a focus group to test the narrative of the messaging for the community. Prepare messaging inviting the community to feedback sessions, conduct sessions with live polling, and prepare a summary of findings for city leadership. Create fact sheet(s), FAQs, display boards, an educational oversized postcard the city can send to all households, social media content, and a social media calendar for staff. Work with staff to update websites. Staff a booth at the Farmer’s Market on multiple Sundays. Educate the administration and council on the limitations set by the Public Disclosure Commission.

DURATION OF SERVICES:

The term of the professional services agreement(s) will be from approximately September 2024 through Summer 2025. A designated Project Manager reporting to City Staff will be required for the entire term.

The professional services agreement(s) resulting from this RFQ shall remain in effect until completion and final payment of the services described in the agreement(s), unless terminated earlier in accordance with the agreement (s).

RFQ SCHEDULE:

(These dates are estimates and subject to change by the City)

RFQ RESPONSE PROCESS AND DEADLINEFour (4) hard copies of the SOQ and one (1) digital copy on a USB flash drive to the address noted above must be received by the City by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. They must be mailed or delivered in a sealed envelope that is clearly marked with the solicitation/project title to the address listed above. SOQs may not be faxed or emailed. Inquiries about this RFQ must be submitted via email no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, and directed to:Phillip Hill, City AdministratorCity of Lake Forest ParkEmail: phill@cityoflfp.govRespondents to this RFQ shall bear all costs to prepare their response/SOQ. No claims against the City for reimbursement of RFQ-response-related expenses will be accepted.BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Lake Forest Park Mayor and City Council have identified a structural financial deficit resulting from being a bedroom community with a limited sales tax base in a region of high inflationary pressures. The city prides itself on maintaining its own police force, providing residents a force with a strong dedication to maintaining a positive culture and delivering exemplary service, and a dedicated general government workforce running the city's day-to-day operations. The city has maintained sufficient fund balances for many biennia thanks to one-time revenue funds and responsible spending. The funds generated by this levy would supplant current general fund revenues budgeted for current ongoing staffing expenditures.

BRIEF SCOPE OF SERVICES:

Develop a public input and engagement plan that builds awareness, assesses community interest, and builds an understanding of the ballot measure and the opportunity to vote. Conduct a focus group to test the narrative of the messaging for the community. Prepare messaging inviting the community to feedback sessions, conduct sessions with live polling and prepare a summary of findings for city leadership. Create fact sheet(s), FAQ’s, display boards, educational oversized postcard city can send to all households, social content, and a social media calendar for staff. Work with staff to update websites. Staff a booth at the Farmer’s Market on multiple Sunday’s. Educate the administration and council on the limitations set by Public Disclosure Commission.

QUALIFICATIONS:

This project will require the firm/team to have the following qualifications:

• Experience in a public input and engagement plan and process.
• Experience conducting focus groups.
• Experience conducting community feedback sessions, including participant polling, and providing summary reports.

· Experience working with the public including the ability to present detailed property tax information in an easy-to-understand format.

· Experience educating the public and elected officials on the structure and implementation of a levy lid lift.

· Experience creating exceptional print and electronic media.

· Project manager’s overall experience and demonstrated ability to work without significant guidance, provide strategic recommendations, and clearly communicate technical information to elected officials, city staff, and the community.

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Responses to this RFQ must include the following:

• Statement of Qualifications limited to 10 single-sided pages.

· Resumes for proposed team members may be included as an appendix to the proposal (does not count towards the page limit).

• Signed and dated Title VI Compliance Affidavit and Non-Collusion Certificate forms (does not count toward page limit).

REQUIRED NUMBER OF SOQs: Four (4) hard copies of the SOQ and one (1) digital copy on a USB flash drive to the address noted above must be received by the City by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. They must be mailed or delivered in a sealed envelope that is clearly marked with the solicitation/project title to the address listed above.

EVALUATION PROCEDURES: The Selection Committee will evaluate submittals. The Committee will consider the completeness of a Consultant’s submittal and how well the qualifications meet the City's needs.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

The Selection Committee will evaluate submittals based on their responsiveness to this RFQ and the criteria outlined in the Qualifications above.

Interviews, if necessary, will be held with selected firms/teams based on an evaluation of the qualifications and the firm/team’s overall fit with the City and its projected projects.

QUESTIONS:

Questions regarding this project may be directed to Phillip Hill via e-mail at phill@cityoflfp.gov. Please place“Lake Forest Park Levy Lid Lift RFQ” in the subject line. Unauthorized contact regarding this RFQ with other city employees may result in disqualification. Any oral communications will be considered unofficial and non-binding on the City.

Any questions will be answered in writing to the firms receiving this solicitation who have provided their email contact information to the city’s designated contact.