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Mayor proposes eliminating marketing post and using cannabis funds to partially pay for youth-and-family advocate
Summary
The mayor proposed removing an unfilled marketing/public-relations specialist (saving ~$70,000) and using $25,000 from cannabis prevention funds to fund part of a permanent youth-and-family advocate position after a federal grant ends; board members pressed for clarity on duration, benefits and grant timelines.
The mayor told the board she plans to propose eliminating an unfilled marketing/public relations specialist position to realize a net savings of about $70,000 and to present that as part of the next budget packet.
She also proposed using $25,000 from the city's cannabis prevention fund to cover a portion of a permanent youth-and-family advocate position that the mayor described as taking over duties from a federally funded BEST position that expires in October. "I do also want to suggest that we use $25,000 of the cannabis funds ... in order to keep that position moving forward," the mayor said.
Members asked whether the cannabis funds could sustainably cover the role and whether the city would pay the balance. Staff said the city would likely fund roughly 75% of the position and use the $25,000 as a partial offset; board members noted that cannabis and opioid settlement funds are limited and cautioned against using one-time or declining revenues to cover permanent operating costs.
Josh, a department official, explained the BEST grant has a 10-year limit and cannot be renewed; the proposed youth-and-family coordinator would be a permanent FTE with broader duties. Board members asked for final salary-and-benefit math and for confirmation of grant end dates so budget staff can show the net impact in the next packet.
The proposal was discussed but not voted; members asked staff to include the position elimination and the cannabis-fund offset in the April 15 materials for final consideration.
