Staff recommends that City Council approve the one-year agreement with 2 optional one-year extensions for media marketing consultant services with Lee Newspaper Enterprises, INC. (d/b/a Billings Gazette & Amplified) for an annual maximum amount of $130,000.

The City of Billings Public Works Department has an ongoing need to for media marketing consultant services to improve communication with customers and the community at large. In order to share information and education about department services, including special notifications and alerts, services are required to produce content and support distribution efforts. Services will include a strategic marketing plan, content production such as refined video content, and content distribution through outlets available to the consultant such as new print, website/ social media, and streaming media placement. Content will cover topics, including but not limited to, activities such as construction projects, road closures and snow plowing, and service alerts such as water use restrictions and schedule or policy changes.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was advertised and nine (9) responses were received. Selection was based on firm experience, key project staff, available resources and consultant location, proposed approach, and cost.  The selection committee evaluated the proposals and selected three (3) finalists to interview, reaching a unanimous decision to award the contract to Lee Newspaper Enterprises, Inc.

City Council may:

• Approve the service agreement with Lee Newspaper Enterprises, Inc.; or,
• Not Approve the service agreement with Lee Newspaper Enterprises, Inc.

The maximum annual cost for media marketing consultant services provided in the proposed contract is $130,000.00 and funds are available in the approved FY22 Public Works Department budget for this expenditure.