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Council adopts social media policy to allow public comments on city accounts, effective when new communications coordinator starts
Summary
Council approved a social media policy that establishes content standards, FOIA/Open Meetings Act compliance, and record retention for city accounts; the policy becomes active when the new communications coordinator, Rachel Plasch, starts July 1.
The City of Washington voted unanimously on June 15 to adopt a new social media policy that establishes consistent standards for the operation and legal compliance of the city’s official social media accounts, including public‑comment rules, FOIA/Open Meetings Act considerations, emergency communications, and record retention.
City Administrator Fagan‑Schull told council that the policy includes training requirements and clarifies when elected‑official social media activity may be considered official city communications. When Alderman Moss asked when commenting would go into effect, staff replied the city expects to implement the policy July 1 when the new communications coordinator, Rachel Plasch, begins work.
Staff described moderation practices and said routine negative comments will be handled professionally and that staff will answer substantive service questions by directing users to appropriate staff through direct messages rather than engaging on open comment threads. Council approved the policy by unanimous vote (motion and second recorded).
