Tripepi Smith has partnered with local government agencies in Sonoma County for nearly a decade. Through these partnerships, we have had the privilege of working alongside these local government agencies in three important focus areas: crisis communications, redistricting and general communication and outreach.

Crisis Communications:

Disasters can strike at any time, and cities must be ready to communicate quickly and effectively with their communities. Tripepi Smith, President Ryder Todd Smith and Senior Business Analyst Melanie Moore partnered with the City of Cotati to audit and help create their crisis communication plan. 

Our team began by reviewing the City of Cotati’s current crisis communication plan and typical outreach channels. Research revealed that email is the most effective way to reach residents during a crisis. To prepare the City, TS created templated communications for a variety of emergency scenarios, including both initial and follow-up messaging. These tools ensure Cotati’s leaders and staff can respond immediately and reassure residents when a disaster occurs.

Redistricting:

Every few years, cities and counties redraw district lines to reflect population changes. The City of Rohnert Park engaged Tripepi Smith to design an outreach strategy that encouraged residents to participate in the redistricting process. Led by Principal Jennifer Nentwig, APR, our team developed a high-level engagement plan that included a specialized webpage, social media posts and graphics. 

The campaign educated residents about redistricting, provided FAQ and participation methods and offered resources such as meeting schedules, agendas, map-drawing tools, draft maps and more. As a result, the City received a strong volume of public participation, with 20 publicly submitted maps, numerous comments and the identification of communities of interest that were incorporated into the final map.

General Communication and Outreach:

Strong communication builds trust and sets the tone for community engagement. Tripepi Smith has supported both the City of Healdsburg and the Town of Windsor in enhancing their communications.  It is important to note that the capacity or need a particular City might have in its communications department might vary in the next neighboring town. 

In Healdsburg, our team, led by Ryder, conducted a Platforms Review and developed a comprehensive communications handbook to guide staff and improve engagement across all platforms. In Windsor, the Express Communications Assessment revealed opportunities to strengthen the Town’s tourism presence and resident engagement. Based on TS’ recommendations, Windsor implemented a stock photo shoot, a rebrand of its logo, a website update, social media management and a social media policy. Within eight months, Windsor’s social media following grew by 13% and engagements by 46%. These efforts built a stronger brand identity, improved transparency and provided staff with greater confidence in communicating with the public.

Tripepi Smith also began working with the Sonoma County Mayors & Councilmembers Association, designing its logo and managing its new website, led by Principal Jennifer Vaughn, APR, Director Melanie James and Web Developer Max Weirauch. Collaborations like this ensure our team remains engaged with the evolving priorities of local government agencies throughout Sonoma County. 

“Working with Tripepi Smith has been such a positive experience for the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Association. Their team listened closely to our needs, designed a logo that truly represents our organization, and built a website that is both professional and easy to use,” said Lauren Berges, Executive Director of  the Sonoma County Mayors and Councilmembers Association. “I’m grateful for their partnership and the way they’ve helped us strengthen our presence in the community.”

Tripepi Smith is proud to support local government agencies throughout Sonoma County as they strengthen communication, build transparency and trust with the community. From crisis communications to redistricting, our work reflects a commitment to equipping cities and organizations with the tools they need to thrive.

About Tripepi Smith

Tripepi Smith is a California-based marketing, technology and public affairs firm that serves for-profit, nonprofit and public agencies. Its unique mix of marketing and technology prowess provides a competitive advantage to agencies seeking to leverage the internet to achieve their communication goals. The firm provides full content creation services, including: ghost writing, collateral development, photography, video production, aerial imagery, search engine optimization, email marketing campaigns and website design and execution. Tripepi Smith’s diverse clients include: City of American Canyon, City of Calabasas, City of Culver City, City of Cupertino, City of Daly City, City of Grover Beach, City of Indian Wells, City of La Cañada Flintridge, City of Lake Forest, City of Livermore, City of Malibu, City of Napa, City of Palmdale, City of Paramount, City of Tracy, CalChoice Energy Authority, California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Costa Mesa Sanitary District, Rowland Water District, California City Management Foundation, Renne Public Law Group, West Coast Arborists, Scripps College, Blind Children’s Center and Climatec