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Montrose council weighs cutting $11,000 annual newsletter cost, considers digital opt-in
Summary
Council reviewed the municipal newsletter’s roughly $11,000 yearly printing cost and discussed options including a digital opt-in, limiting page counts, and targeted mailings; members emphasized keeping paper copies available for residents without internet access.
Council members and staff reviewed the City of Montrose’s newsletter and the potential to reduce printing and mailing costs, which one council member said currently runs to "almost $11,000 a year."
Discussion focused on several cost-cutting options including offering an emailed copy by opt-in, reducing the number of printed pages (many recent issues ran 12 pages, with a few at 16 pages), and using the city’s new billing system to target mailings to specific neighborhoods rather than mass mailings. Staff said implementing an opt-in system would take time and recommended assigning an administrative assistant to work on layout changes and opt-in logistics.
Council members raised equity and accessibility concerns about moving primarily to digital distribution, noting that some residents lack internet access and rely on physical copies picked up at community locations. A staff member suggested maintaining a limited number of paper copies at community hubs such as Grace Place and using the newsletter to promote an email opt-in: "If you get the newsletter and you can't use the newsletter to opt in to the newsletter, then you don't want the newsletter," one staff member said while explaining the opt-in push.
The council discussed a phased approach: reduce page counts and mailings over the coming year, provide targeted print runs for those who need them, and track how many residents opt in to electronic delivery. Staff estimated current production includes many 12-page editions and occasional 16-page issues, and suggested beginning reductions immediately while maintaining some paper copies for residents without email access.
