June 16, 2026
Finance Department
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Emily Combs, Director of Finance
Mubeen Qader, Deputy Director of Finance
Subject:
Contract with SCI Consulting Group for Ballot Measure
Feasibility, Strategic Communications, and Public
Opinion, and Public Outreach
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $247,000 expenditure is included within the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Finance
Department budget.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
February 17, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City is evaluating long-term revenue options to
address structural fiscal challenges and community
priorities. On February 17, 2026, the City Council
approved an on-call contract with SCI Consulting Group
to support revenue enhancement analysis and other
priority City initiatives. Building on that preliminary analytical work, the City now requires dedicated
feasibility, voter research, and strategic communications services to assess whether a potential revenue measure
is viable. Due to the highly compressed timeline leading up to the August 7, 2026, deadline for placing measures on the November ballot, it is necessary to authorize both Phase 1 feasibility activities and Phase 2 informational and ballot-readiness services under a single contract to ensure continuity and timely completion.
AGENDA
REPORT
June 16, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with SCI Consulting
Group to provide ballot-measure feasibility analysis,
strategic communications services, public-opinion
research, and public information outreach for the period of April 28, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in an amount
not to exceed $247,000 for Phase 1, with Phase 2
services – Finance Department (Emily Combs/Mubeen
Qader 510-412-2077).
DISCUSSION:
On February 17, 2026, the City Council approved an on-call contract with SCI Consulting Group to provide financial and technical advisory services in support of various City priorities, including revenue enhancement analysis.
Under this on-call engagement, the consultant began foundational analytical work that supports the City’s broader exploration of long-term fiscal sustainability and potential revenue solutions.
As part of this ongoing effort, the City is now evaluating the feasibility of placing a local revenue measure before voters in a future election. This evaluation requires specialized expertise in voter research, political diagnostics, and strategic communications to understand Richmond residents’ priorities and determine whether a potential measure is viable. While the on-call contract provided flexibility for preliminary analysis, a dedicated and structured scope of work is necessary to conduct statistically valid voter research and prepare the City for time-sensitive ballot requirements.
SCI Consulting Group, together with CliffordMoss and EVITARUS, submitted a comprehensive proposal for Phase 1 feasibility work and Phase 2 public information and ballot-readiness services. The team brings specialized experience in Proposition 218 revenue measures, California voter research, bilingual polling, political landscape assessments, strategic communications, and ballot-measure development for jurisdictions across California. City staff recommend a sole-source contract with SCI Consulting Group because this integrated approach is critical to maintaining continuity between feasibility analysis and measure preparation within the City’s compressed November 2026 ballot timeline.
Phase 1 includes:
statistically valid public opinion research
political environment and voter trend analysis
early messaging concepts and preliminary ballot framework elements
The proposal allocates $97,000 for Phase 1 services. This work will provide the City with objective, data-driven findings regarding community priorities, voter sentiment, and the feasibility of a potential November 2026 ballot measure.
June 16, 2026
Phase 2 includes:
preparation of ballot-ready materials in coordination with the City Attorney and City Clerk
legally compliant informational outreach and strategic communications stakeholder engagement
packaging of a potential measure for City Council consideration
The proposal allocates $150,500 for Phase 2 services. This work would allow the City to move directly from feasibility analysis into measure development, ballot preparation, and informational outreach if Phase 1 findings indicate that a measure is viable.
Due to the statutory deadline of August 7, 2026, for placing measures on the November 2026 ballot, the project timeline is highly compressed. If feasibility results indicate that a measure is viable, the City must be able to move seamlessly into Phase 2. Any delay in contract authorization could risk missing the filing deadline. For this reason, City staff recommend authorizing both Phase 1 and Phase 2 services at this time.
Together, the Phase 1 and Phase 2 scopes result in a total contract amount of $247,000, covering all feasibility, voter research, informational outreach, and ballot-readiness services through June 30, 2027. While Phase 2 work would only begin if feasibility results support proceeding toward a ballot measure, authorizing both phases within one contract ensures the City has the necessary resources and scheduling flexibility to meet statutory timelines and maintain continuity of work.
NEXT STEPS:
Upon City Council approval, City staff will execute the agreement with SCI Consulting Group for the combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 scope of work. City staff and the consultant team will continue Phase 1 feasibility activities, including political diagnostics and administration of the baseline voter survey. Following completion of the feasibility assessment, and if results indicate that proceeding is appropriate, City staff will initiate Phase 2 informational and ballot-readiness services to align with the August 7, 2026, deadline for submitting ballot materials. City staff will coordinate with the City Attorney and City Clerk to ensure all required filings are completed on schedule.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Original Contract
Attachment 2 – Sole Source