Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Language Access Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves continued Spanish translation support; staff to draft budget amendment for expanded contract
Summary
Poulsbo council directed staff March 5 to repurpose remaining funds in a Spanish-translation contract for in-person and document translation and asked staff to prepare a budget amendment — staff suggested $5,000 to carry services through December.
Council heard an update March 5 on a community-language service contract with Patty Velez to provide Spanish translation for Poulsbo city business. Director Kim reported the phone line created for Spanish-speaking residents has seen very little call volume after an initial bump, but Patty’s services are being used heavily for in-person translation, police-document translation and other city needs.
Kim proposed repurposing the remaining funds in the existing $3,000 contract (about $1,400 remaining) to support in-person services and to continue translations as needed. Council members discussed extending the contract through the end of the year and suggested a target total of $5,000 to cover services through December; staff said they will prepare a budget amendment to repurpose and add funds and return with details. Council and staff also discussed potential additional roles for the translator such as translating website materials and graphics. No final budget amendment was voted at the meeting; council instructed staff to proceed and return with a formal amendment.
