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Board divided over hiring Donovan Group to support referendum; proposal lists $14,000 cost
Summary
Staff presented a Donovan Group consulting package priced at $14,000 to support the referendum with mailers, social media and a slide deck; board members split on whether hiring a firm is necessary or will harm community perception.
Staff presented a proposal from the Donovan Group offering consulting services, two mailers, website copy, social media content and a slide deck for about $14,000 and said fund 80 has sufficient balance to cover the expense if the board chooses to proceed.
Board members debated whether paying for outside consulting would look like a poor use of funds and whether the district should instead marshal volunteers and a community 'yes' committee. Some board members argued professional help would ease staff workload and produce clearer, legally compliant copy; others said hiring an outside firm risks poor optics and that the community’s sentiment matters more than professional marketing.
"I'll take the lead on that," the board president said, offering to coordinate volunteer support and to supply copy and materials to community volunteers if the board opts not to hire the firm. The board scheduled further discussion at its next meeting and said it would decide whether to accept or reject the consultant proposal then.
