County communications team expanding press releases, video series and staff outreach

A county communications update described growing use of a contracted professional writer and increased departmental requests for press releases, an active weekly email bulletin read by staff and new internal video interviews aimed at public education.

Communications staff briefed the committee that Doug Mehl, a contracted professional writer, is finalizing a press release for Heather Wood of Land and Water Conservation concerning an additional 300 well tests. Staff said departments are increasingly contacting the communications office for publicity help.

The communications team described a new video in a leadership series that features Dustin Bender and Brent Miller from the highway department. Krista Vind will edit the piece for release, with staff aiming to publish it in time for national Work Zone Awareness Week. "We did a really fun thing ... we interviewed Dustin Bender and Brent Miller from the highway department about just about highway and background," a communications speaker said.

Staff also said weekly internal emails continue to be well received by many employees, though they acknowledged some county employees rarely use email during the workday (for example, at the nursing home or highway department).

Ending: Communications staff will distribute the highway video shortly and continue to support departments with press releases and weekly bulletins.