Fire District 3 considers $44K consultant contract for public relations

Commissioners for Island County Fire District 3 will consider a $44,750 consultant contract for public relations work at their meeting tonight in Langley.

Officials are expected to discuss a potential agreement with Liz Loomis Public Affairs, a Snohomish-based company, that would run for one year.

According to the contract, the firm would help the district develop a Facebook page, five newsletters and other work.

The proposed contract would pay Liz Loomis Public Affairs up to $9,000 for general consulting work.

Other activities covered by the agreement include:

Up to $2,000 for a "branding project" that would include four print advertisements;

Up to $1,250 could be spent to create "key messages" for the fire district;

Up to $12,5000 for five newsletters, one in 2011 and four in 2012;

Up to $2,000 for one direct mail piece to educate the public on the fire district;

And up to $12,000 to create a media list, one draft of a news release each month, and work to monitor media response.

The proposed contract also allows for "other duties as assigned," which would be billed at the hourly rate of $195.

The cost of the contract does not include ad space costs, and costs of printing, postage, mail and other costs would also be determined later.

Expenses would also be reimbursed, and drive time would be billed at half of the hourly rate ($97.50).

According to the company's website, Liz Loomis Public Affairs has experience in public polling, bond and levy projects and grassroots advocacy. The firm's client list includes Clark County Fire District 6, King County Fire District 2 and King County Fire District 45, Snohomish County Fire Protection District 17, Valley General Hospital and the Woodburn School District.

Tonight's meeting of Fire District 3 will be held at the district's fire station at 820 Camano Ave., Langley.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

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