The Eagle Pass City Council on June 24 approved a review of the city's media contracts and advertising expenditures intended to evaluate cost effectiveness and strengthen oversight of public communications spending.

Staff requested authorization to issue a request for proposals for local media services and to collect standard information—print ad rates by size, circulation counts, social-media reach and costs, radio spot pricing and available interview or production services—so the city can compare vendors and arrive at a more consistent budgeting approach.

"What I'm requesting is authorization to begin a full review of the city media related contracts and spending," Staff member Estela Castaneda said, noting the marketing department currently controls city advertising to ensure consistent messaging. Castaneda said the review would "evaluate cost effectiveness, ensuring fairness" and could produce average prices for newspaper ads, social posts and radio spots to avoid wide price variation.

Councilmembers expressed support for the effort while thanking local media for coverage. Staff said the review would be coordinated with finance and would inform the marketing budget for the next fiscal year.

The resolution passed unanimously. Administration will work with finance on a request for proposals and will return recommendations to council after vetting local media suppliers and pricing.