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Kings County Completes Redistricting Process with Tripepi Smith Outreach Assistance

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Kings County Seal_v2Kings County called upon Tripepi Smith to provide outreach and engagement services in support of its redistricting effort in June 2021. After approximately six months of communication and outreach efforts, the Board of Supervisors concluded its redistricting process by voting to adopt a community-generated map, Public Map 120, as the new Supervisor district boundary map on December 14, 2021. The map was adopted by resolution following the Board’s vote.

“Redistricting can be a complex matter that requires close collaboration between special legal counsel, a demographer and an outreach firm. We are grateful to Tripepi Smith for their work and engaging with the Kings County community as it was an essential part of this process,” said Kings County Public Information Officer Kyria Martinez.

Senior Business Analyst Emily Mason led the engagement with general communications support from Junior Business Analyst Allison Torres. They worked with County staff to ensure residents were educated about the redistricting process and understood how they could be involved by providing feedback, participating in map-drawing and attending various public meetings. The following strategies and tactics, all executed in English and Spanish, were used to engage the community:

  • Redistricting Website: A redistricting website (redistrictkings.com) served as the central hub for all resources and educational materials related to the redistricting process. The website included all information required by the Secretary of State about redistricting and provided a preview of the process in the County. The website also served as home to an animated educational video about the redistricting process, which was also shared to the County’s newly created social media accounts (covered next).
  • Social Media Support: Since the County of Kings did not have established social channels, dedicated “Redistricting Kings” Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts were established and utilized to further connect with the County’s online audience. Bilingual social media posts were published to each of these platforms on a regular basis throughout the redistricting process. Additionally, six boosted posts (paid advertising) on Facebook/Instagram will be used to help spread the word about public hearings and solicit public commentary.
  • Press Releases/News Articles for Website: Bilingual press releases were used to announce the kickoff of the redistricting process and unveil the public hearing dates, encourage the community’s use of the mapping resources and tools, and inform the County of the adoption of the new district lines.
  • Flyers: Various public hearings were promoted online, as well as with a flyer which was posted online and distributed to local media and community groups/members via email. Flyers were also printed and displayed on County facility counters.
  • Community Groups: Multiple rounds of outreach calls to local and prominent community organizations were conducted to aid in the dissemination of information regarding hearings, mapping tools and participation in the redistricting process. They were also given the option to be included on press releases and flier distribution.
  • Public Hearings/Meetings Assistance: Team Tripepi Smith also assisted with the planning and preparation for various public hearings, including anticipation of community areas of interest to review and address, collaboration with demographer National Demographics Corporation and translation of presentations.

“The redistricting process should ensure widespread public access to information to ensure the map development process benefits from the insights of the community. Kings County went above and beyond the basic requirements to reach its residents,” said Allison. “Tripepi Smith was honored to work with Kings County and assist in the completion of its 2021 redistricting effort.”

About Kings County

Before any towns existed within Kings County, a handful of pioneers called it home. The Landmark tree, a huge sycamore located on Lacey Boulevard near Avenue 18-3/4, stood as a beacon to guide early settlers over the otherwise barren valley floor. Cattlemen and gold miners initially settled along the Kings river; and farmers, storekeepers and oilmen later followed.

In 1877, the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad brought additional growth and new arrivals from around the world. In 1893, local voters approved the formation of a new county when a portion of Northern Tulare county was divided to form Kings County.

Today, Kings County combines its relation with its colorful past history with an optimistic and enthusiastic vision for it’s future.

About Tripepi Smith

Tripepi Smith is a marketing, technology and public affairs firm based in Orange County, CA. Its clients include for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies throughout the state of California. The firm’s unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage for organizations seeking to leverage the Internet to achieve their communication goals. Tripepi Smith provides full content creation services, including: ghostwriting, collateral development, photography, video production, search engine optimization, email marketing, crisis communications, social media management and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith clients include: City of Santa AnaCity of Culver CityCity of Rolling Hills EstatesCity of TracyCity of Santa CruzCity of SnoqualmieCity of CupertinoCity of Daly CityCity of La Cañada FlintridgeCity of ParamountCity of Huntington BeachCity of El CerritoCity of Indian WellsCity of Yuba CitySanta Clara County Fire DepartmentIndustry Business CouncilNHA AdvisorsCalChoiceCalifornia Joint Powers Insurance AuthorityRowland Water DistrictCalifornia Contract Cities AssociationCalifornia City Management FoundationLeague of California CitiesInstitute for Local GovernmentRenne Public Law GroupInland Empire Utilities Agency and Climatec Energy Services.