Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Affairs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public Affairs outlines service levels for external and internal communications; flags accessibility and rapid-response needs
Summary
Public Affairs and Communications told the Finance Committee on Sept. 9 that it manages more than 20,000 annual communications requests and seeks to tighten service-level targets for media relations, accessibility outreach and administrative support.
The Office of Public Affairs and Communications (PAC) presented recommended service levels to the Finance Committee on Sept. 9, describing how the office organizes work across external communications, internal communications, constituent services, accessibility and administration.
Glenn Barber and senior PAC staff said the office now handles more than 20,000 communications requests a year and has folded media relations and cable/TV operations into a single external-communications activity. PAC said it expects to provide critical emergency information 100% of the time when required by law (for example, legally mandated meeting notices and certain emergency disclosures) and that it will continue to prioritize urgent multi-agency coordination during activations of the Emergency Operations Center.
PAC noted specific accessibility gaps in outreach materials: supervisors reported that information about accessibility features (for example, pool lifts and other adaptive equipment at Ashburn Recreation Center) had not been sufficiently publicized to disability groups and residents. PAC acknowledged the gap and identified the need to improve targeted external messaging about available accessibility features.
For administration, PAC said it aims to complete financial and procurement transactions in full compliance with county policy and recommended devoting more senior staff time to strategic communications and board support. For media relations, PAC said it strives to resolve 75% of media inquiries within 48 hours and to keep responding reporters informed immediately when complex requests require more time to gather departmental input.
Chair Bridal and other supervisors praised PAC's responsiveness and social-media presence. PAC noted that many elective (nonurgent) services requested by departments go unmet because demand outpaces staff capacity, and the office asked the committee to consider how to match resources to rising expectations and new technology tools, including new communications platforms and AI-assisted workflows.
PAC said it will continue collecting customer-survey data and track the percentage of projects delivered within agreed project timelines, and will return to the committee with metrics as they refine internal processes and toolsets.
