County administrator proposes newsletter policy to standardize content, editorial oversight and avoid outside advertising

County Administrator Barry presented a draft county newsletter policy and described the proposed oversight, editorial standards and goals for publication.

Barry said the newsletter is produced quarterly and the draft policy names the newsletter committee—two county board members, the sheriff, the public information officer, the executive administrative specialist and the county administrator—as the editorial body. The committee’s duties would include determining tone, style, content, printing standards and timeframes, and making final decisions on what gets published.

The policy proposal emphasizes accuracy, transparency and neutrality and recommends not accepting outside advertising or donations for the newsletter (except for county partnership organizations). It also states that unsolicited outside content, letters to the editor or opinion pieces would not be allowed and calls for accessibility and privacy compliance in published materials.

Commissioners asked whether the newsletter is available online; Barry confirmed it is published to the county website and that the public information officer will link the newsletter to the county’s social-media channels. Commissioner Sumner asked why the sheriff is on the committee; Barry said that membership was historic and that the board may appoint different members if it wishes.

Barry said the county is developing separate social-media procedures through the public-information officer and that the newsletter policy is intended to keep the county publication informational and nonpolitical. He said the committee can refine the policy and that there is no rush for immediate board action; the draft will be brought back as a regular-agenda item for consideration.