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Council declines two‑thirds vote to fund outside referendum communications; discussion centers on neutrality and optics
Summary
Council discussion over hiring Miller Communications for referendum services highlighted concerns about neutrality, staff capacity and optics; the budget modification motion failed to meet the two‑thirds threshold required for budget changes.
The council on Nov. 11 considered a joint resolution authorizing a modification to contract with Miller Communications for referendum communications and to allow staff to sign an engagement. The measure faced extended floor debate on whether an outside firm could produce neutral, educational materials and the optics of city‑funded communications in an election context.
Alder Tierney introduced the motion and said the intent was for neutral informational materials. Several council members raised concerns. Alder Tom Neal said the appearance of neutrality would be hard to sustain because the firm’s client would be the city: "Their client would be the city...Their client would be the staff that they're working with," Neal said, arguing citizens might see the effort as advocacy. Others, including Alder Rasmussen and Alder Watson, said that concise, professionally designed materials are needed to get accurate information to voters and that staff lacks dedicated communications capacity.
On the procedural question the measure also required a two‑thirds majority because it was a budget modification. Council voted on the question and the motion failed to achieve the required two‑thirds; the record shows the motion did not pass the budget modification threshold (motion failed 6–5 on two‑thirds requirement).
Council direction: Because the budget modification failed, no contract authorization was advanced that evening; some members urged staff to continue in‑house or smaller‑scale outreach options and to refine any future request to address optics and scope.
Representative quote: "We are asking people to help us make these decisions...We need a uniform, consistent, accurate message," Alder Rasmussen said in favor of a neutral communications approach; Alder Neal countered: "Their client would be the city...This agency would not be working with our public."
