Title
A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT AND RECLASSIFYING OF THE MARKETING DIRECTOR POSITION
Summary
Description of Topic: (who, what, where, when, why and how much)
This agenda item requests approval to establish a Communications Department within the General Government umbrella and to reclassify the existing Marketing Director (Grade 210) position to Communications Director (Grade 240). This action centralizes official City communications, including neutral public information, media relations, and crisis and emergency communications to improve coordination, transparency, and consistency across all departments while continuing to support appropriate departmental promotional efforts.
The redefined Communications Director role removes non-core duties and refocuses the position on strategic communications leadership, supervision of the communications staff, and functional guidance on official announcements and media-related Citywide. The results of a job analysis recommends a pay grade for the Communications Director of a Grade 240, reflecting executive-level responsibilities, Citywide impact, and market competitiveness.
Budgetary Impact:
Non-Capital Item:
____ Budgeted under account #_______________ (discussion item)
__X__ Not budgeted, requesting transfer from Account #_5060 accounts__ to Account #_1080 accounts___.**Request to Transfer Departmental Budget Dollars form must be attached**
____ Not budgeted requiring increase to account #___________ in the amount of $____________.**Request to Increase Departmental Budget Dollars form must be attached**
Capital - Departmental **Capital Purchase Worksheet form must be attached**
____ Budgeted under account #______________ for $_________ and described in budget as ________________________. Additional amount needed, if any: Increase in budget of $_________ OR, transfer of $________ from Account #____________ to Account #_____________**Request to Increase OR Request toTransfer Departmental Budget Dollars form must be attached**
____ Not Budgeted - account #____________ requires budget increase of $_____________.**Request to Increase Departmental Budget Dollars form must be attached**
Capital Project - **If requesting to start a project, a Capital Project Worksheet form must be attached**
In current year Capital Projects Plan:
_____ Yes, described as __________________________, planned amount $___________, requesting $_________ as total project estimate, including contingencies, under account #_________________
_____ No, requesting $___________ as total project estimate, including contingencies, under account #____________________.
_____ Yes, requesting an increase of $___________ to an already approved project titled ________________________ that is being tracked under Account No. ___________________.
_____ No, requesting an increase of $__________ to an already approved project titled _______________________ that is being tracked under Account No. _________________.
Body
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the importance of clear, accurate, and timely public communication in maintaining transparency, public trust, and effective municipal operations; and
WHEREAS, the City’s communication needs have evolved to require centralized coordination of neutral public information, media relations, crisis and emergency communications, and strategic communications leadership across all departments; and
WHEREAS, the existing Marketing Director position and department no longer fully aligns with the City’s current communications needs or organizational model and it is in the best interest of the City to establish a Communications Department to provide oversight and coordination of official City communications; and
WHEREAS, establishing the Communications Director as the City’s senior communications authority will improve coordination, ensure consistent and accurate messaging, protect the City’s reputation, and strengthen resident confidence in City operations;
WHEREAS, the establishment of the Communications Department and the reclassification of the Marketing Director requires amendments to the City's Pay Classification Plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Foley, Alabama, as follows:
SECTION 1: Establishes the General Government Communications Department to centralize and coordinate official City communications functions and amends the Pay Classification Plan accordingly.
SECTION 2: Amends the Pay Classification Plan by eliminating the position of Marketing Director (Job Code 5060118 / Grade 210) and authorizing the new position of Communications Director (Job Code 1080101 / Grade 240).
SECTION 3: This action will require a transfer of $143,000 from the Welcome Center/Marketing Department to the Communications Department.
SECTION 4: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption as required by law.