Minutes 06-11-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Approximately $108,000 in existing funds will be transferred from the County Manager's budget with the creation of the Department of Public Affairs, on July 1, 2013. In FY 2012-13, the funds provided for the Department Director's personnel costs and limited operational needs. • The FY 2013-14 Manager Recommended Budget includes a new Graphic Design Specialist position (1.0 FTE), effective January 1, 2014. The position will create marketing and public relations materials, for the County and its departments. Personnel, operating and start-up capital costs total $38,582, for the first six month of the position; on-going, annual operating expenses total $69,266. Carla Banks thanked the finance department, as well as the county manager and Tonya Walton, for their assistance in this budget process. Commissioner McKee asked if the department has figures of how much savings would be accrued with this new position to offset the cost currently being paid for graphic design. Tonya Walton said this information is not known yet. She said staff knows of some non-general funds/departments that are outsourcing graphic design needs. She said that most departments are handling it on their own. Carla Banks said she has provided a sheet that outlines what the cost would be, based on coming into the position and flying solo. She is accustomed to having this position, and she said it would save money to do these in-house rather than outsourcing. Commissioner Gordon referred to page 234, which mentions vision statements and communication plans. She asked if these have been developed. Carla Banks said these are being put together, and the estimated timeline is about 6 months out. Commissioner Gordon said she was disappointed that the department had not started out with a strategic communications plan to guide the investment. She would like to see a plan sooner rather than later. Carla Banks said that has been one of her key objectives, and it is on the list. Commissioner Dorosin said there was a purple sheet at their places with a description of a public relations coordinator position. Carla Banks said she is changing the title from a graphics designer to a public relations coordinator in order to be more inclusive of the responsibilities of the job. Chair Dorosin asked if there was enough graphic design work for full time. Carla Banks said graphic design is a large part of the job. Chair Jacobs said he cannot support this position without a strategic communications plan. He said the Board has learned from the Information Technology strategic plan and how much easier it was to make staffing decisions. Carla Banks said she is flying solo now, and she sees it as a detriment to not hire this position. She said she feels that her interpretation of a strategic plan is different from the Board's concept. She cannot see the link to hiring or not hiring. Chair Jacobs said he cannot speak for Commissioner Gordon, but he would like to see a vision for the department before he funds it. He said he would like to participate in a conversation about a plan before he signs off on the direction of the department. Commissioner Rich asked if the outsourcing of a brochure comes out of the departmental budget. She said if so, the departments should know what is being spent on graphic design, and this information should be available. Tonya Walton said there is a lot of time being put into this. She said she could get data on printing cost, but this does not consider layout and other responsibilities. Commissioner Rich said that is important to track, in order to justify a new position.