Communications Department adds intern and streamlines budget in Berkeley

The City of Berkley is gearing up for a transformative year in its communications department, highlighted by the introduction of an intern to enhance public outreach efforts. During the recent FY 2025-2026 Budget Work Session, the department head expressed enthusiasm about the new addition, which aims to alleviate current workload pressures and foster proactive communication strategies.

"This intern will help us be more proactive with our communications, working with different departments to provide educational campaigns," the department head stated, emphasizing the need for increased capacity. Funding for the intern will come from the existing contractual services budget, which has previously supported a public relations firm. The goal is to eventually transition to hiring a part-time or full-time staff member as the department evolves.

In a significant budget shift, the city has eliminated the community promotions line item, redistributing funds to streamline operations and reduce redundancies. Essential services like postage and advertising will now fall under the communications department, allowing for more cohesive messaging. The department has already utilized this budget for effective outreach, sending out informative postcards to residents about city services.

Additionally, the budget includes an increase for professional development, enabling attendance at key networking events and conferences. The department head is particularly excited about participating in the upcoming government social media conference, which promises to provide valuable insights into best practices for municipal communications.

Looking ahead, the department plans to conduct a community-wide survey to gauge residents' preferences for receiving information. This initiative aims to ensure that communication strategies align with community needs, potentially influencing future budget allocations for print materials like the Berkeley Buzz.

As Berkley prepares for these changes, the focus remains on enhancing community engagement and ensuring residents are well-informed about city services and initiatives.