Public Engagement and communications are two areas within local government that are often conflated and seen as one in the same. Oftentimes this is due either to limited staff resources or the two areas are not seen as distinctly separate. While some elements of public engagement incorporate communications, not all communication efforts are public engagement. It is important to understand the difference in order to effectively determine which avenue will be best to reach the community. Establishing an internal understanding of when either or both communication and/or public engagement is necessary directly improves community relations. Successful communication and public engagement processes not only helps build trust between local government and the community, but allows informed decision making on both sides.