City consultants presented results of a paid public-opinion survey and persuasion testing on Jan. 28 as city staff and consultants continue due diligence on a possible venue tax to finance planning and renovations for the Victoria Community Center.

City Manager Jesus Garza told council staff had completed a review with the Texas Comptroller that indicated the proposed project would have no negative financial impact on the state — a necessary step for placing a local venue-tax measure on the ballot. Garza introduced Cooksey Communications and Bassilis and Associates, the firms retained to conduct polling and advise on communications.

Mike Bassilis of Bassilis and Associates told council the survey interviewed 300 registered voters with a margin of error of +/-5.7 percentage points. He said the unprompted ballot-language question produced 61% support and 28% opposition for a package combining a hotel and rental-car tax to fund planning, construction and renovations of the community center. After respondents were presented with randomized informational statements (about jobs, regional event attraction, facility improvements and revenue generation), support increased to 72% with opposition falling to 21%.

"The intensity is what matters," Bassilis said when describing the change from the initial to the informed ballot. He told council that 29% of respondents were 'strongly yes' on the initial ballot and that the informed-question format produced an improved intensity ratio in favor of the measure.

Consultants highlighted message testing that identified several statements most persuasive to likely voters, including emphasizing multipurpose renovations, improved accessibility and the venue's ability to attract out-of-town events. Jason Meyer of Cooksey Communications said the results give the city a "roadmap" for the kind of communications that would be effective in an informational or support-building campaign.

Council members asked about the accuracy and appropriateness of some persuasion statements, especially claims about "millions of dollars in economic impact." Mike Bassilis and city staff said the poll was a communications exercise and that the city could choose not to emphasize economic-impact language in any public outreach if council preferred. Mayor Duane Crocker and several councilmembers expressed general support for moving toward a May ballot, noting the city must call the election no later than Feb. 14 if it is to appear in May.

No formal vote was taken. Several councilmembers stated on the record that they favor placing the venue-tax question on the May ballot; staff said they would place the election item on the next meeting agenda for formal action if council directs.

City staff also noted timing considerations and that if council needed more time they could call a special meeting before the Feb. 14 deadline. The city manager said staff would follow council direction on scheduling and on what messages to emphasize in any future public-information campaign.