CLINTON —
In the interest of improving discourse with the community, city officials have proposed adding a part-time communications specialist to city staff in fiscal year 2014.
The communications specialist would be responsible for communicating with and engaging the public, issuing press releases, communicating with the press and doing a small amount of work on the city’s website.
“Communication skills and design skills are not anything built into any department director's job description, so this position will make it easier to keep the public informed and engaged in ways which currently do not,” Interim City Administrator Jessica Kinser said.
The employee would be added to the city administrator budget. He or she would work four hours a week for $17.50 per hour, totaling $3,640 not including FICA/IPERS.
“The idea behind this position is not to handle call and inquiries from citizens but work behind the scenes to create the message of the city,” Kinser said.
Kinser said the amount of work on the website will depend on the skill of whoever is hired, but writing text is a minimal contribution to make the website more helpful.
The city’s website needs have caught the attention of outside agencies. In a review of seven Iowa city’s websites, performed by pro-transparency non-profit Sunshine Review, Clinton performed the lowest, receiving a D-.
Davenport received an A+, Cedar Rapids a B, Des Moines a C, Iowa City an A+, Sioux Center a C- and Sioux City a B.
Reviewers cited the lack of a search function as well as information on public records requests, taxpayer-funded lobbying and local taxes not being posted. The non-profit also took issue with the fact that budgets, audits, building permits, contracts and contact information from all council members was not posted when the site was reviewed last February.
Kinser believes the position will increase the city government’s availability to residents.
“As far as transparency, this position, even at 4 hours a week, will help us function and provide more information to the public than what we currently provide,” Kinser said.
Kinser said the city would advertise the position, but did have an employee who fits the bill if the wage and hours could not attract other suitable candidates.
Top News
City may add communications specialist
- Top News
-
-
VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
Barbara Garcia was being interviewed by CBS News about how she survived the destruction of her home to Monday's massive tornado in Moore, when the dog she feared dead was suddenly discovered alive in the rubble of her home.
- Northeast preps for end of grade sharing GOOSE LAKE -- The Northeast School Board is planning to add bus stops next year under the worst-case scenario that a Clinton County District Court judge does not force the Easton Valley School District to honor a whole-grade sharing agreement. North
-
It's a long road ahead for the graduates
Summer is near and that means hundreds of area teens are preparing for likely what will be the biggest move in their young lives. Clinton, Camanche and Fulton, Ill., will hold graduation ceremonies this weekend, meaning high school seniors will leave
-
Earthen Treasures: Vendors and shoppers ready for farmers market
CLINTON -- Jean Morgan spends more than 10 hours a week weeding, planting and tending to 2-acre plot of land just outside of Camanche.
-
Tennis No Moore
CLINTON - "Before I got hurt, I was by far the best tennis player around. At camps, I could come out and hit, and the kids would come out to watch. I could show them how to hit a shot. They would absolutely buy into everything I told them." That was
-
Memorial park: A place to remember
FULTON, Ill. -- Fulton American Legion Commander Bill Blecha's goal is to have a park where members of the community can reflect on the sacrifices of past, present and future veterans.
-
10 Things to Know for Friday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
-
Wash. I-5 bridge collapse caused by oversize load
A truck carrying an oversize load struck a bridge on the major thoroughfare between Seattle and Canada, sending a section of the span and two vehicles into the Skagit River below, though all three occupants suffered only minor injuries.
-
Committee looking for new Camanche City Hall location
A committee has agreed to look at alternative locations for Camanche City Hall.
-
Mom delivered baby as tornado struck
Shayla Taylor was so far along in labor that her nurses at Moore Medical Center decided not to move her when Monday's tornado hit. They waited out the storm in an operating room, where the wall disappeared as the tornado hit the building.
- More Top News Headlines
-
