City of Bellevue’s Council Priorities

Description

Council Priority #10: Enhance community engagement efforts to increase equitable public participation in city decision-making and improve the reach and effectiveness of the city’s engagement strategies.

Period

Q4-25

Priority Status

On Track

Priority Status Legend

On Track | Completed | Delayed/On hold | Not Started

Priority Icon

Staff Contact

Mike McCormick-Huentelman: [email protected]

Progress Updates

Formed a new Community Engagement team; conducted an audit of citywide community engagement needs and practices; adopted Qualtrics as the customer experience platform for citywide surveys; completed the Community Inclusion and Engagement Survey and Branding Survey; and initiated work on a Community Engagement Toolkit.

Look Ahead

For 2026, will prioritize completion of Community Engagement Toolkit to provide a roadmap for departments on community engagement practices, pilot coordinated approach with Community Based Organizations to support engagement with underrepresented communities, continued emphasis on standardization of citywide survey practices and transparency of data management of community input.

Milestones

Attain funding for expanded community engagement in the 2025-2026 Budget Process
Council Priorities | Completed 12/31/24

Recruit and onboard the Community Engagement Team
Council Priorities | Completed 3/31/25

Creation of a community engagement framework to support citywide efforts
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 6/30/26

Assemble timelines for 2025 citywide community engagement initiatives and community input on prior survey data
Council Priorities | 1/2/25 - 12/31/25

Audit and internal review of current practice and support for ongoing citywide initiatives
Council Priorities | Completed 10/16/25

Create Community Engagement Toolkit to support citywide community engagement practices
Council Priorities | 7/1/25 - 6/30/26

Establish coordinated approach with Bellevue’s Community Based Organizations to broaden outreach and engagement with historically marginalized communities
Council Priorities | 7/1/25 - 3/31/26

Focus Groups/Stakeholder engagement on improving community engagement
Council Priorities | 7/1/25 - 12/31/25

Recommendations for community survey data storage framework, requirements for improved data analytics
Council Priorities | 7/1/25 - 6/30/26

Reasonable Accommodation

For alternate formats, interpreters, or reasonable modification requests please phone at least 48 hours in advance 425-452-6800(voice) or email [email protected]. For complaints regarding modifications, contact the City of Bellevue ADA, Title VI, and Equal Opportunity Officer at [email protected].