In this presentation, we'll review best practices for communicating complex information to various audiences.

1. C OU R TN EY MEZN A R IC H
Account Manager
Public Relations & Marketing
A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 1 7

2. • Infographics
• Fact Sheets
• Press Releases
• Talking Points
• Billing Inserts
• Direct Mail
• Flyers
• Social Media
• E-blasts
• Web Posting
• PowerPoint
• Door Hangers
• Signage
• Awareness Walks
C O U R T N E Y M E Z N A R I C H
Account Manager
communications@slocity.org
805.545.8887

3. • Determine audience—Council, staff, public, bargaining groups?
• Craft relevant messages—Clear, Concise, Consistent
o “Who cares?”
o 3–5 messages total
o Avoid jargon
o Avoid specific numbers and data heavy info
o 10 seconds or less
• Test messages
• Practice
C O U R T N E Y M E Z N A R I C H
Account Manager
communications@slocity.org
805.545.8887

4. 1. Since 2013–14, the City made a prepayment against its unfunded retirement
liabilities equal to $2,730,000.
2. Activated Fiscal Health Contingency Plan in Response to December 21, 2016
announcement that implements immediate cost saving measure and provides a
pathway for long term measures to address long term unfunded liabilities.
3. Negotiated to establish a 2nd tier of lower benefits for employees and implemented
the State mandated 3rd Tiers. 40% of workforce is now in 2nd and 3rd tiers, saving
hundreds of thousands in Pension costs. Exact cost savings is very difficult to calculate
due to CalPERS methodology of providing rates.
4. 100% of employees paying all Employee Share of CalPERS costs.
5. All “first and second tier” or classic employees represented by the Police Officers
Association also pay 3% of the Employers Share of retirement cost.
6. Avoided assuming additional retiree medical costs by only providing minimum required
by State law for CalPERS agencies.
C O U R T N E Y M E Z N A R I C H
Account Manager
communications@slocity.org
805.545.8887
1. Pleasantville is using funds left over at the end of the
year—roughly $2.7 million this year alone—to pay down
future retirement benefits owed
2. We also activated a hiring chill and are using more
temporary and contract workers who are not eligible for
City pension benefits, reducing our debt further
3. We’ve shifted more than 40% of employees to a
retirement plan that offers lower retirement benefits while
requiring them to work later into life to get those benefits,
saving $1 million this year
4. Pleasantville used to pay both the employer
share and employee share of CalPERS costs,
but today, employees pay 100 percent of the
required employee contribution
P L E A S A N T V I L L E C I T Y P E N S I O N C O S T C O N T R O L | Key Messages
BEFORE
AFTER

5. • Don’t develop key messages or plan in a silo
• Seek outside help, whether outside your
department or a communications expert
• Always keep the audience in mind
• Key messages first, then materials
• Use appropriate tools for your audience
C O U R T N E Y M E Z N A R I C H
Account Manager
communications@slocity.org
805.545.8887