Riverview debates extending newspaper contract as council weighs web upgrades and outreach to seniors

City staff presented a vendor proposal from Go Big Multimedia LLC to extend the city's statewide advertising/municipal-publication contract for three additional years through Feb. 28, 2029. Staff said the vendor offered bulk paper savings and proposed no additional cost for extending the term. "Go Big Media reached out to me and submitted a letter... he would like to pass the savings on to his customers," an unidentified staff member said.

Staff described the city's historical baseline payment as $13.76 per month that yields 2.5 pages of coverage; usage varies monthly and the school district shares pages and billing. Councilmembers noted the paper's reach among seniors and the editorial visibility it gives city programs, but several members pressed for transparency: what the city has paid in 2023-24, how many residents rely on the print paper versus online access, and whether article authorship and a community calendar could be made more transparent.

Council discussed alternatives including a more robust city website, dedicated staff time or interns to manage digital content, and piloting a reduction in printed program advertising to test effects on participation. Staff said website upgrades and content maintenance require dedicated hours and funding and that the paper currently satisfies charter publication frequency requirements for public notices. No contract extension vote occurred during the study session; staff said the item will return to a future meeting with cost details if requested.