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Communications and Media Relations
As part of the Office of Communications, communications staff delivers public information through the organization's communication channels including news releases, MyRoanoke email notifications, the Roanoke Recap blog, the City's website, and Roanoke Valley Television - Cox Channel 3, with the goal of keeping citizens well-informed of City-related news. Staff oversees media relations and is also involved in event planning and communications campaigns. Staff is responsible for internal communications as well, and serves as an advertising and marketing resource to City departments.
Media Inquiries
All inquiries from the media should be directed to the Office of Communications at 540-853-2333 or by email for response. The City's Media Policy states that the most knowledgeable and informed employee on a particular issue is the best City spokesperson. The Office of Communications works with City staff to determine the best person to address the subject of the inquiry, and assists in arranging contacts and interviews for staff with the media.
News Notifications
Staff regularly sends out MyRoanoke email notifications about City news, events, and initiatives. Read our latest notifications. To receive MyRoanoke notifications by e-mail, click here. After providing your email address at the top of the screen, scroll down to the MyRoanoke News category and select the "Roanoke News." You may also receive notifications for the "Roanoke Recap" blog by sending an email to the Communications staff.
Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV3)
The Communications and Media Officer serves as a member of the Roanoke Valley Television Cable Committee. Roanoke Valley Television is a Government and Educational Access Station, serving the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, the Town of Vinton, and their respective school systems.
Ways to Engage with your Local Government
Connect on Social Media and Apps
Join 218,000+ other locals who follow and engage with our award-winning Social Media pages on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Nextdoor, and YouTube. You can also sign up for email news alerts when City news releases and announcements are issued. Can't make a City Council meeting in-person? Tune in to City Council meetings every two weeks or watch past meetings on Facebook Live. Find out what you can and can't recycle by downloading the Recycle Coach app on Apple or Android devices.
Report an Opportunity for Improvement or Service Request
If you see something that needs to be fixed, please submit a service request through our digital Citizen Request Management System, or download the iRoanoke app on Android or Apple devices. The City of Roanoke strives to create positive customer experiences that meet and exceed our residents' expectations. You can also call the Citizen Help Center between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 540-853-2000.
Weigh in on Important City Projects
Share your ideas about upcoming infrastructure and planning projects on Plan Roanoke, our new public consultation platform. If you would like to be contacted about upcoming projects, click here.
Stay Up To Date With Roanoke News
Want to stay in the know about what's going on in the City of Roanoke? Then sign up for our MyRoanoke Alerts by clicking here.
Have Questions About Paying a Bill?
Have questions about paying a tax bill? Making sure your pet is licensed? Then click here to access our Treasurer's Office webpage or click here for our Commissioner of the Revenue's webpage.
I'm a Business in the City Of Roanoke - Who Can Answer My Questions?
The Office of Economic Development can guide you through what you need to know to run your business in the City of Roanoke. Click here for more information.
Connect With Roanoke City Council
Share your ideas and comments with members of Roanoke City Council and stay up to date on upcoming meetings by clicking here. You can watch Roanoke City Council Meetings on RVTV Channel 3 or live on the City of Roanoke's Facebook Page. For details, click here. If you would like to speak before City Council, sign up by clicking here and filling out a brief form.
Join a Board or Commission
To find out how to join an authority, board, commission or committee appointed by City Council, click here.
Get Involved With Your Neighborhood!
Whether you are new to Roanoke or have lived here your whole life, it's important to get involved in your local neighborhood group! For a listing of local groups click here. Want to start a group or find out more, visit our Neighborhood Services page by clicking here.
Do You Need a Building Permit? Do You Have Code Enforcement Questions?
The Office of Planning, Building & Development handles construction permits, zoning, revitalization, plans and enforcement. To find out more, click here.
How Do I Reach the Fire Marshal or Get a Fire Report/EMS Report?
Roanoke Fire-EMS can be reached by clicking here.
How Do I Connect With the Roanoke Police Department?
Roanoke Police can be reached by clicking here.
How Do I Connect With the Roanoke Sheriff's Office?
Roanoke Sheriff's Office can be reached by clicking here.
How Do I Access the City of Roanoke GIS System?
The Roanoke Real Estate GIS System can be reached by clicking here.
Language Assistance
If you do not speak, read, or write English well, the City will provide an interpreter at no cost to you! This is available for all services and programs the City offers. For language assistance, please call 540-329-3230.
Asistencia Lingüística
Si usted no habla, lee, o escribe el inglés bien, ¡la Ciudad proporcionará un intérprete sin costo a usted! La interpretación está disponible por todos servicios y programas que ofrece la Ciudad. Para obtener asistencia lingüística, por favor llame a 540-329-3230.
What is the Office of Community Engagement?
Leading the Office of Community Engagement, the Community Engagement Manager is a communications and marketing professional who focuses on building trusting relationships between government and Roanoke's community. The Community Engagement Manager reports to the City Manager and leads the City’s communications efforts in several areas, including working with the media, digital marketing, public consultation, social media management, design, web development, videography, research, strategic communications, issues management, crisis communications, event planning, and campaign development.
Communications, Neighborhood Services, and Language Services also fall under the umbrella of Community Engagement.
As of Oct. 2018, the City of Roanoke is a proud member of the international Cities of Service Coalition, and the 2019 Gateways for Growth Challenge to welcome and integrate the city's international community.
Recent Community Engagement Reports & Campaigns
- Star City Safe
- Welcoming Roanoke
- Roanoke Star City Strong
- Roanoke All America City
- Roanoke Preparedness
- FY2018 Social Media Annual Report
- 2018 Comprehensive Plan Community Feedback Report
- 2016 Social Media Annual Report
Award-Winning Community Engagement Campaigns
2018 PRSA Gold Summit Award, Best Communications Campaign for "Recycling and Trash Don't Mix"
2017 PRSA Silver Summit Award, Social Media Tactic, Big Foot Sightings
2016 3CMA Award of Excellence, Best Use of Facebook, Olympic April Fools
2016 3CMA Award of Excellence, Social Media, Roanoke's Social Media Model
2016 Government Social Media Golden Post, Top Social Media Advocate in Government, Timothy Martin
2015 3CMA Savvy Award, Best Use of Facebook, 2015 Snow Event
2015 3CMA Savvy Award, Social Media General, Roanoke's Social Media Center
2015 Government Social Media Golden Post, Best Use of Humor on Facebook, Roanoke Star World Tour
2014 3CMA Savvy Award, Best Use of Facebook, 2014 Snow Event
2014 PRSA Gold Summit Award, Social Media, 2014 Snow Event
Please refer to the full list of awards and rankings here.