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Menasha panel names Post Crescent Media official newspaper; alderman warns notices aren't reaching residents
Summary
The City of Menasha Administration Committee unanimously designated Post Crescent Media as the city's official newspaper for 2026'27, while Alderman Rand said the sole bid highlights a communication problem and urged a clearer citywide notice strategy.
The City of Menasha Administration Committee voted 7-0 on May 18 to designate Post Crescent Media as the city's official newspaper for the 2026'27 year, after Deputy Clerk Janet cited Wisconsin Statute 985.06 and said the Post Crescent was the lone bidder.
The decision fulfills a statutory requirement for second- and third-class municipalities to contract with an official newspaper, Deputy Clerk Janet told the committee. "Per the memo created by Clerk Snyder, Wisconsin Statute 985.06 provides that second- and third-class municipalities contract a newspaper to serve as our official newspaper each year," she said, adding that the Post Crescent was the one and only bidder on this solicitation.
Alderman Rand supported the procedural vote but used the discussion period to press a broader point about how the city communicates official information to residents. "We have no meaningful market choice here. There was one bid. There's no competition," Rand said. He argued that publishing legal notices meets the letter of the law but does not ensure residents see or understand notices: "Legal notices are the floor, not the ceiling...published somewhere technically valid is not the same as seen, understood, and trusted by residents."
Rand described a fragmented information environment in which residents follow multiple city Facebook pages, the city website and local outlets and may still miss official postings. He urged the city to adopt a simple, consistent primary channel so residents know where to look first, suggesting a citywide email and text sign-up as one practical option.
Chair Hale moved to accept the minutes and to proceed with the newspaper designation; a committee member moved to award the Post Crescent the official designation and the motion was seconded. Deputy Clerk Janet recorded the roll call vote as 7-0 to approve the contract award.
The committee's action completes the annual designation process required by state statute. The committee then adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
