When Should Municipalities Hire a Public Engagement Consultant?

Jul 4

Public engagement is a legal requirement for many municipal projects. But beyond compliance, it’s a tool to build trust, reduce risk, and make better decisions. Still, not every project needs outside help. So when should municipalities bring in a public engagement consultant?

1. When Internal Capacity Is Limited

Many communications and planning teams are already stretched. Adding engagement to an already full workload can lead to rushed timelines and missed steps.

A consultant brings extra capacity without the need to hire new staff. They can manage short-term projects, high-demand seasons, or policy reviews that fall outside regular work.

2. When the Project Is Politically Sensitive

If a project involves potential controversy—such as land use changes, budget cuts, or new developments—it helps to have neutral third-party support.

A consultant provides:

Objective facilitation
Clear and unbiased reporting
Distance between staff and the public
Protection from perceived conflict of interest

This can increase public trust and reduce backlash.

3. When Legislative Requirements Must Be Met

Some projects require engagement by law. This includes:

Municipal development plans
Statutory plans
Land use bylaw amendments
Environmental reviews

A consultant helps you meet these requirements with proper documentation, records of feedback, and a transparent process.

4. When Engagement Needs to Be More Than a Survey

Good engagement goes beyond checkboxes. If you want to:

Hold meaningful conversations
Co-create policy
Address concerns early
Build ongoing relationships

Then a consultant can help plan and deliver more interactive and thoughtful engagement.

This includes town halls, workshops, pop-ups, and outreach to underrepresented groups.

5. When You Need Specialized Tools

Not all municipalities have access to engagement platforms or survey tools. Consultants often bring:

Access to online platforms
Design and print capabilities
Engagement tracking systems
Templates and pre-built processes

This saves time and avoids reinventing the wheel.

6. When the Public Trust Is Fragile

If your community has recently experienced controversy, poor communication, or a lack of transparency, trust may be low.

Hiring a consultant can show you are taking engagement seriously and committing to a more structured and responsive process.

7. When Multiple Partners Are Involved

Joint projects between municipalities, utilities, developers, or agencies often require clear and consistent messaging.

Consultants coordinate engagement across jurisdictions, manage approval processes, and ensure everyone stays on message.

Why reVerb?

reVerb Communications supports municipalities across Alberta with public engagement for infrastructure, planning, and policy projects. We offer strategic guidance, direct delivery, and reporting.

We’ve worked on:

Transportation builds
Environmental remediation
Municipal policy development
Budget consultations
Land and zoning changes

Whether you need full-service support or just extra hands during a busy time, we can help.

Rachel Rae