Commission members discussed a proposal received from a retail recruitment firm, Veil Strategies, that recommends a three-year engagement at $45,000 per year.

A staff member told the commission that the proposal arrived late the night before the meeting and was emailed to commissioners; the firm’s representative named in the proposal is Sarah Beth Thornton. The staff member said the firm recommends a three-year commitment because recruitment typically takes a year to 18 months to produce measurable results and that the proposal did not include stepped pricing across years.

Commissioners asked whether the staff had sought other vendors and whether references were available. The staff member said she had contacted past clients and that the proposal includes Kentucky-based client references the commission could contact; she said she would collect a few additional proposals and follow up with commission members before the next meeting.

The commission agreed by consensus to invite Veil Strategies to present the proposal by Zoom at the next meeting so members and partners can ask questions and decide whether to proceed. The commission did not vote to approve contract terms or expenditures at the meeting.

No formal procurement decision was made; staff will gather additional proposals and references and confirm partner interest in sharing costs before a future action.