Council refers $100,000 sole‑source marketing contract for Community Safety back to finance committee

Councilmembers on Jan. 21 voted to refer back to the Finance & Personnel Committee a request from the Department of Community Safety to enter a sole‑source agreement with Cane/Cain Communication LLC for marketing and communications services (agenda item 0027‑25). The department sought approval to spend up to $100,000 from the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Wisconsin Community Safety Fund to develop outreach assets, branding and campaign materials.

Director Tate told the council the proposed work would build on assets the firm developed in 2024 and said the firm offered a discount; Tate said the department lacks internal capacity after an intern’s departure and that professional services were needed to create consistent communications. “We need our community to both know that, 1, we exist,” Tate said.

Several councilmembers raised procurement concerns and asked why the contract was being sole‑sourced rather than competitively bid. The city attorney explained an exception in city purchasing ordinance (Sec. 46‑39) that permits negotiated agreements for professional services where a particular consultant has provided prior services and where the council approves aggregate fees above $50,000 by resolution. Alder Mac, Alder Weidner and others questioned the budget size, whether intern or city resources could be used, and whether the grant funds should be directed to direct community programs rather than marketing.

A motion to refer the item back to Finance & Personnel for more detail passed 7–4. The department will return to committee with proposals, scope details and the vendor’s written proposal.