Council talks director position
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on July 3, 2016 1:45 AM
Goldsboro officials plan to move forward with a proposed communication director post that would be shared with Wayne County.
The Goldsboro City Council discussed the shared position Monday during a work session. No vote was taken, but the council didn't oppose the change.
City Manager Scott Stevens plans to work with the county manager to create an interlocal agreement that details the employee's responsibilities, including being responsive equally to city and county communication needs.
"I think we need to control our messaging, but I think we need to share it," Mayor Chuck Allen said.
The proposal involves the director becoming a county employee, with the city sharing half the salary and benefit cost. The county has allocated $30,000 in its 2016-17 budget. The city council will have to vote on adding the cost in its budget, Stevens said.
"I would not like to see us have a full time, at all," Councilman Gene Aycock said.
After the meeting, Aycock said he questioned the city's need when it previously employed a full-time public affairs officer.
"I questioned it the whole time," Aycock said Tuesday.
Aycock supports the shared position, if there's a benefit to the city. He also questions if the city has enough communication needs to warrant a half-time employee.
"It's not a full-time position, but I'm not even sure it's half-time," Aycock said. "I'm for one-third and the county to have two-thirds. I don't know that there's that much (information) we have to put out.
"If we have one, and the description said what they did, and they did it, I'm fine with it."
Councilman Mark Stevens supports working with the county, even though the council hasn't discussed the position in detail.
"I think the whole council is supportive of the shared employee," Stevens said. "I think that would be in the best interest of the city and county.
"I'm supportive in regards to the things with the county. We have a good relationship. I just want to keep a great relationship with the county."
Councilman David Ham said he's interested in learning more about the shared position, including any pros and cons.
The city previously employed Kim Laverick as its full-time public affairs officer at a near $68,000 salary before she resigned in December.
City officials decided to not fill the position and hired an Information Technology employee, at a lower cost, to handle social media channels. Other city employees are also sharing communication responsibilities.
Wayne County officials also decided, as a cost-cutting measure, to not fill its full-time public information position after Barbara Arnsten left county employment in 2015. Arnsten was making $65,262.
In more recent county discussions, the commissioners have been interested in finding a way to add a communication director at a reasonable cost. The commissioners were divided, in a recent 4-3 vote, to add a communication director, in partnership with the city. The commissioners are divided on whether the county needs a communication director.
The communication director is planned to oversee advertising, media relations, assist with speech writing and promote and market the county.
Stevens said an interlocal agreement could be presented to the city council in July or August.