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Vero Beach council debates creating communications coordinator, delays spending decision to budget process
Summary
Councilors discussed establishing a communications coordinator or contracting services to address a perceived information vacuum. Members and public commenters urged more transparency; council directed staff to compile deliverables and a budget request rather than immediately allocate funds.
City leaders debated whether to create a communications coordinator position or hire contract services to improve transparency and public information at a May 27 council meeting.
The mayor outlined a range of communications functions — social media, emergency notifications, website management, crisis communications and community engagement — and said the city lacks a unified approach. "We need to have a number because I can has it to guess that the numbers you're gonna get from the property appraiser is not gonna afford a big, you know, increase in taxes," the mayor said, framing the question in budget terms and urging the council to define deliverables before setting costs.
Council members expressed differing views: some advocated starting small with social media or contracting a vendor; others urged developing a deliverables list and folding the item into the upcoming budget cycle. Public commenters urged swift action. One resident proposed a $100,000 contractor plan and a weekly newsletter; others said the city can begin short-term communications improvements without large expenditures.
City Manager Monty and staff agreed to gather council members' deliverables and return with a date certain and cost estimates for budget planning. Council did not vote to create a position at the meeting.
