Selma Board Considers Six-Month Extension for Social Media Management Contract

In a recent meeting of the Selma City Council, discussions centered around the extension of a contract for social media services, highlighting the importance of effective communication in promoting local businesses. The deputy city manager, filling in for the economic development manager, proposed a six-month extension for the contract, emphasizing that a longer timeframe would allow for better evaluation of the service's effectiveness.

The council acknowledged the challenges faced due to recent staff resignations, which have left the city short-handed. This situation has impacted the responsiveness and engagement with the social media contractor, AdVine, who is tasked with promoting businesses in the downtown Business Improvement District (BID). The deputy city manager noted that a month-to-month contract would complicate performance assessments, advocating instead for a minimum of three months, ideally extending to six.

Council members expressed the need for improved communication between the contractor and local stakeholders. One member pointed out that the contractor should actively seek stories from the community to better represent local events and businesses. This collaborative approach is seen as vital for enhancing the visibility of downtown Selma's offerings.

Additionally, the council clarified that the focus of the social media efforts should be strictly on BID events and businesses, distinguishing this from broader city promotions. This delineation aims to ensure that resources are effectively utilized to support local commerce.

As the council moves forward, the emphasis remains on fostering a strong partnership with the social media contractor while ensuring that the needs of the local business community are met. The decision on the contract extension will play a crucial role in shaping the future of business promotion in Selma, with the next steps expected to align closely with community feedback and expectations.