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Meeting Date:	12/12/2016
PR Firm
Submitted for:	Rhonda Tiffin	Submitted By:	Jorge Calderon
Department:	Planning & Physical Development

Subject:

Discussion and possible action to authorize the Purchasing Agent to solicit proposals for an annual contract with a public relations agency or marketing consultant to perform public communications and educational outreach via multi-media platforms to address a variety of issues including, but not limited to, public health and safety, emergency operations, educational outreach intended to prevent or otherwise safeguard public health and safety, matters relating to regulatory or legislative changes impacting county residents, and local efforts to prevent disease, reduce waste, address public nuisances, protect the environment and water resources, or other issues of public concern. [Accounts #010-2204-6022 (Professional Services) and #010-2204-7054 (Environmental Health & Vector Control)]

Issue: As set-out in Webb County’s Emergency Operations Plan and consistent with best practices of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), adequate public communications and educational outreach in preparation for or in response to emergency operations and public health and safety issues is critical to successful prevention programs and the management of events and outbreaks. Ongoing and recent threats to public health such as the Zika virus have elevated local needs to increase educational efforts to strengthen prevention, support source reduction and respond to transmission and outbreaks. Unfortunately, existing resources are limited to perform much needed emergency communications and educational outreach.

Solution/Result: An annual contract with a proven public relations agency or marketing consultant will be beneficial not only in the development of outreach campaigns for local prevention efforts but can also play a vital role in consolidating and disseminating public communications in the event of an emergency operation or response. By utilizing the annual contract procurement approach, such an agency/firm could also be utilized by several county offices to perform and support a variety of public communication efforts as issues or needs arise utilizing multi-media platforms and response teams.

Background:

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Previous Court Action:

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Fiscal Impact

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