Historic driving-tour booklet work slowed by branding limits, remaining budget of about $1,200

Commissioners and staff discussed the status of a Benton County driving-tour booklet and agreed to limit scope to content edits and additional images rather than a full redesign, given county branding constraints and limited remaining funds.

The commission heard that the contractor who designed the booklet, identified in the meeting only as Eric, completed work under county branding guidance. Staff said minor text edits originally estimated at about $600–$800 were anticipated, but the designer became concerned after the commission requested more extensive changes, which staff described as “closer to like a full overhaul” and likely to increase cost. Morgan Driggs, identified in the meeting as Benton County assistant planner, said the county enforces its branding standards and that major style changes could raise the designer’s price and scope of work.

Commissioners confirmed there is about $1,200 left in the line item for the booklet for the remainder of the fiscal year; staff said that amount must cover any further designer work and that the schedule is constrained by fiscal-year budgeting and the consultant’s lead time. Because one commissioner (Autumn) was out of town and has additional notes to add, commissioners agreed to give staff a short extension to gather edits and images rather than press for an immediate full redesign.

Next steps identified during the discussion included: staff (Morgan Driggs) following up with the designer to supply any historic images he needs; commissioners consolidating and submitting edits (agreement reached to aim for completion within roughly the next 3–5 weeks where feasible); and requesting a written cost estimate from the designer by April to confirm whether proposed changes would fit within the remaining $1,200. Commissioners emphasized deleting listings that could not be verified from the road, adding historic photographs where available, and prioritizing deletions and small edits to keep costs down.

Because the commission did not have a quorum capable of taking official action at this meeting, the group made only planning-level decisions and requested follow-up rather than approving new spending.

Ending

Staff said they would reach back to the designer about available images and estimate timing; commissioners agreed to supply edits and to reconvene or finalize details at the next meeting once the designer’s cost estimate and Autumn’s notes were available.