[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5978166,"mediaKeyId","5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52","parentId",5793222,"title","City centralizes communications staff, chief outlines digital-first strategy in 2026 budget plan","audioSeconds",1744,"startMs",5741000,"endMs",7485000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52&start=5741&end=7485","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52/thumbnail_5741000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5978166/Minneapolis-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/City-centralizes-communications-staff-chief-outlines-digital-first-strategy-in-2026-budget-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978166-cabedf3d86697ad1af4cd4a9f10209b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116277&Signature=SxWMFuDC6nzVXKJGoJHV5AzK8ad5Iz2xNyOiwUQH3bwX56UJPMNwPPtpfEuLCBTtZz98eS7gjvp~CxteKhjdxw8MiGb6S1YAxEnY0ka-LeC-fi~6OYb7nYuXAx6PobuPYcpLh3KaT-lpgagj~pHxi41Ba1upo-sxmZZoY7KD7jyqDuBAWc8tEXXGBrn~nr-Pk8xhtKnwqqZchMNL91TrAMjvZ05D~6mM3fvLYL~ksIb25SbO5AL8KmveoASax1Dvcu45XH1SZ4~XNHymvlH-Rb8OXF1JMFisPfDkCsBHUZdOnRLUvTFv7Q-~-7gGKMRsUKW9627dHa0kQL1E8H5T2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Minneapolis","date","2025-09-19T05:49:57Z","article","Adam Fetcher, the city's chief communications officer, told the Budget Committee on Sept. 18 that the mayor's recommended 2026 budget supports a unification of communications staff from several departments into a single central communications function and that the proposal's budget increase is driven by personnel transfers rather than new net spending.

\"Our mission is to build a modern communications function capable of meeting the needs of community while building a sense of trust, goodwill, and relevance with our audience,\" Fetcher said. He described a recent reorganization that has brought communicators from the Office of Community Safety, Community Planning & Economic Development (CPED), Regulatory Services and Health into a single reporting structure; those positions remain budgeted in their original departments for 2025 and would formally move into the central communications budget if the 2026 budget is approved.

Why it matters: Committee members and the new communications chief said the city's prior communications work had become fragmented, with duplicative spending outside the central department and uneven digital capacity. The centralization aims to create a single strategy, reduce duplication, and shift toward \"digital-first\" outreach and audience-centered messaging.

Performance and recent work: Fetcher highlighted performance gains and recent emergency communications: the department reported a 225% increase in organic social media impressions year-over-year, secured 188 proactively pitched media stories, and logged 107 hours of cultural media programming across five partner outlets. Fetcher also credited the communications team for rapid, coordinated public information following the Annunciation Church and School shooting and for a comprehensive effort supporting Minneapolis Police Department recruitment.

Budget specifics and risks: The recommended communications budget shows a roughly 47% increase driven entirely by personnel transfers from other departments (budget-neutral citywide). Nonpersonnel discretionary spending is largely flat. The mayor's proposal includes modest ongoing reductions: $12,500 from cultural media programming and $12,500 from Public Access TV; Fetcher said the cultural media reduction reflects realized 2025 spending and staff capacity to place opportunistic media.

Fetcher identified capability gaps the department would like to fill as it modernizes: social media listening tools, expanded digital content capacity, and more research and insights to guide audience-centric messaging. He emphasized that the 2026 budget is an enabling step and that additional organizational changes are expected once a citywide communications strategy is complete.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Council members asked about the timing of transfers, how centralization would affect council offices and the legislative department, and accuracy/fact-checking of city communications. Fetcher said he would take responsibility for accuracy going forward and that the clerk's office will add a communications position that will coordinate with the central team. The chair directed the clerk to file the communications presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 18, 2025 Budget Committee","oneSentenceSummary","New communications chief Adam Fetcher presented a plan to centralize communicators from multiple departments into a unified communications operation; the mayor's recommended 2026 budget reflects personnel transfers (budget-neutral) and modest cuts to discretionary cultural media and public access TV spending.","taxTitle","Minneapolis City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",3498,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978170,"Mayor proposes cuts to neighborhood engagement funds; Community Connections conference eliminated",1852,3329000,5181000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52&start=3329&end=5181","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52/thumbnail_3329000.jpg","/articles/5978170/Minneapolis-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Mayor-proposes-cuts-to-neighborhood-engagement-funds-Community-Connections-conference-eliminated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978170-c5b735ed2a8d0f772290295f11d38fd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116277&Signature=n5l28MprmMVuXtYh3Gv4yQdzvx3DtRaztVoeyHXm4yxbGcLHAjoG~lKLWSjU~h-DJVVsOwXo7gnlYadeUQK8Fnbth6iXWtmql~OkdpfUTeLPmMxdfRD0wGPXX06srrcPAKRmQv6uPvHo~6Al0MVKw~Mtm4u5-MURpPSDwgXQXTuPZz2mqvnC5V9qOky2QWzmHMwGXJBFMUFpMOG7RE9p6Iu~yG5D8prrdpBgNLbMVYpGk7g5x7sGSRA6csX8y9n7GBr1MLt~7XvecfnrsXper5P6mMy~s46S~vhK6SQrNAuYjl79VlmHO16xt0Zyslzy2iq5k2NDmJNe~OSblxaxtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor's recommended 2026 budget for the Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) department would eliminate the annual Community Connections Conference and reduce several engagement funds as part of a broader tightening of discretionary spending.

Karen Moe, NCR director, told the Budget Committee on Sept. 18 that the mayor's proposal eliminates ongoing funding for the Community Connections Conference, a reduction of $123,000, and reduces the Partnership Engagement Fund by $500,000 (cut in half). The department would also take an ongoing $25,000 reduction to legal services the city provides to neighborhood organizations plus an additional one-time $18,000 cut in 2026, Moe said. A one-time $40,000 reduction was proposed to the PlanNet database contract supporting neighborhood organization finance tracking; NCR and IT will use 2026 as a transition year to identify alternatives.

Why it matters: NCR manages citywide engagement support, neighborhood organization contracts, the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, and programs such as the Trans Equity Summit and senior services. Committee members said the Community Connections Conference is an important public forum for residents to give input on city policy.

Program details and achievements: Moe described NCR's structure (five teams and 23 staff) and said the department expects to be nearly fully staffed by year'end except for a trans equity coordinator vacancy planned for hire in July 2026. NCR reported serving 1,281 people with immigration legal services from Jan. 1 through May 31, 2025, and projected serving over 3,000 people in 2025. The department also reported the highest Community Connections Conference attendance in its history (about 1,300 attendees) and said it hosted a tenth Trans Equity Summit with over 350 attendees and multiple community partners.

Risks and context: Moe listed risks that affect engagement broadly: increased violence targeting trans, queer and immigrant residents; federal policies that may affect immigrant protections; and inconsistent enterprise digital tools and security concerns. She said NCR and Performance Management and Innovation have been updating dashboards and metrics and that some 2025 metrics remain in progress because the department has added new programs and staff.

Budget decisions and mitigation: Moe said NCR will seek alternative strategies to meet the conference's goals if the line item is eliminated and that the Partnership Engagement Fund reduction will likely result in fewer contracts rather than reduced total per-contract funding. For neighborhood organizations, legal services will remain available but at a smaller ongoing pool and with potential delays as the department refers groups to alternative resources.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Council members expressed concern about eliminating the conference and reducing funds that support neighborhood organizations; that discussion generated requests for follow-up information. The chair directed the clerk to file the NCR presentation with the committee record.

Next steps: NCR will continue implementing its programs, refine dashboard metrics with PMI, and work with IT to identify alternatives for the PlanNet database. The items remain at the committee stage as part of the 2026 budget review.","The mayor's recommended 2026 budget reduces several Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) programs, including eliminating the ongoing Community Connections Conference and halving the Partnership Engagement Fund, while NCR leaders said they will seek alternative ways to meet engagement goals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5978176,"Mayor's 2026 recommendation trims two 311 FTEs, credits IVR for shorter waits",1465,91000,1556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52&start=91&end=1556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5793222-740d732707310031efca26d739b28c52/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/5978176/Minneapolis-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Mayors-2026-recommendation-trims-two-311-FTEs-credits-IVR-for-shorter-waits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5978176-2c2030818c560b67ef79af0bd836bd0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116277&Signature=kJDPyW4eH3vd7we8E1ncFj~0BDhOaqOKud74oB5lYB27g167Tlo3KxuF~zvra46lK84p4hB2ajW7SU5PM6jAfIYHNRowRX~Higy3DjAw3fdFVoZGyYRl4hHxBJ6k6gQu4vTykefEBmJRUUj958lr-4zf-VRAOLAN7Vv9oL1fNJK~r1OOPgFJ2gZrY8My0P8G2~wnwnTDycjoInHvcAol7mi4ZxRatipmSxNnZPLThk4KFhIILrRRJsTUSutYWibrXJqXPL7X8Ax9JUo~aPG3z6SKiS3bd0ZQBDWfG9F-AgIut69Bhk2UOO-Czgn1CvM5bkAZX4D9~k0N4-dpNxUDIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The mayor's recommended 2026 budget for the Minneapolis 3-1-1 Service Center would remove two unfilled positions tied to the delayed opening of the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center while projecting modest overall budget growth for the department.

Minden Nizimbi, the 3-1-1 service center director, told the Budget Committee on Sept. 18 that the department has 45 employees (43 paid through its budget and two temporary positions funded by Public Safety Aid at the Lake Street Safety Center) and that the recommended 2026 budget shows a net decrease of two FTEs because two South Minneapolis positions remain unfilled until that center opens. \"These are proposed to be restored in 2027,\" Nizimbi said.

Why it matters: 3-1-1 is the city's main intake for nonemergency services and information. City officials said investments in the department's interactive voice response system (IVR) and training have reduced average wait times and freed agents for more complex calls.

Nizimbi said the IVR, which launched late in 2023, has resolved more than 100,000 of the roughly 361,749 calls that reached 3-1-1 in the first full year of operation. \"Instead of adding multiple staff to keep up with workload trends, the IVR has absorbed much of that volume,\" she said. The committee was shown data the department said reduced average wait times from about 4 minutes in 2022 to 1.3 minutes in 2025 and cut abandon rates from nearly 15% to just above 3%.

Budget and operations details: The presentation said the department's overall budget grew by about 4.56%, roughly $308,962, driven primarily by higher internal service charges such as IT and rent. The recommended personnel change that realigns a manager and analysts to a lead analyst position was presented as FTE-neutral and estimated to save $14,260 annually \"without reducing jobs or service levels,\" Nizimbi said. Two positions funded through Public Safety Aid at Lake Street are scheduled to transition to the South Minneapolis Community Safety Center when it opens. If the center opens before Jan. 1, 2027, the department said it could absorb a one-month funding gap.

Risks and technology: Nizimbi flagged the department's legacy CRM, Lagan, as outdated and costly to license and said a replacement CRM will not be implemented until 2027. She also said translation costs are increasing as the department expands services in more languages; the department currently relies on the city's master translation contract and recently hired bilingual Spanish and Somali staff to expand capacity.

Performance measures and community access: The presentation highlighted performance targets including a high rate of single-visit resolutions (95.33% as of Aug. 31, 2025, with a 2026 target of 96%) and improved approval rates for police reports entered by 3-1-1 agents (from about 97.19% in 2023 to 99.04% in 2025, with a 2026 target of 99.5%). Nizimbi also described the Lake Street Safety Center as a temporary local hub that served 335 residents through Aug. 31, 2025, and said outreach is underway to make residents aware of services available there.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Committee members asked about additional tracking and benchmarking, translation technology, use of the IVR and its user experience, and what Lake Street service categories labeled \"other city services\" and \"other outside services\" include. Those questions generated discussion and explanations; the committee chair directed the clerk to file the 3-1-1 presentation at the conclusion of the item.

Next steps and context: Department leaders said they expect to finalize a CRM contract by the end of the year, start the CRM build in 2026, and continue to monitor translation costs and IVR performance. The presentation and its supporting dashboard were filed with the committee clerk for the record.","The mayor's recommended 2026 budget for the Minneapolis 311 Service Center shows a small net staffing reduction tied to delayed openings at a South Minneapolis safety center, while the department credits its interactive voice response system with sharply reduced wait times and lower abandon rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City centralizes communications staff, chief outlines digital-first strategy in 2026 budget plan

Mayor proposes cuts to neighborhood engagement funds; Community Connections conference eliminated

Mayor's 2026 recommendation trims two 311 FTEs, credits IVR for shorter waits