City staff unveils Strategic Communications Plan; targets social reach and consistent messaging

Anna, the city’s communications staff member, presented a Strategic Communications Plan to Powell City Council on April 1 that sets goals and measurable targets for how the city will reach residents, prospective residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

The plan identifies 10 overarching communications goals, including unifying city messaging, expanding digital communications, supporting council through communications, building local partnerships and promoting economic development. It inventories existing tools — a new city website, eight city social‑media accounts and a digital newsletter — and sets targets for posting frequency. Anna said the city aims for five or more Facebook and Instagram posts per week and that March reach across platforms approached 90,000 people.

Council members commended the presentation and discussed practical questions about reaching residents who do not use social media, when to engage in comment threads and whether to produce a periodic staff report for council highlights. Anna described a case‑by‑case approach to social‑media engagement: she said she answers direct questions, uses a pinned comment when many replies accrue, and keeps responses brief so staff resources are not consumed.

Some council members asked for more printed outreach for residents who do not use social media; Anna noted the city recently expanded its printed recreation guide and that staff are working to build relationships with local media for wider reach.

Why it matters: Powell’s communications plan sets measurable targets and a tone for how the city will inform residents about capital projects, public safety items and special events; council members asked staff to consider additional ways to reach non‑social‑media users.

Ending: Staff said the plan is a working document and that specific projects and metrics will be adjusted as the city implements the plan.