Mosquito Board tables PR job

By JENNIFER EDWARDS

A majority of the Anastasia Mosquito Control District commission agreed the district needs a public relations consultant but they tabled action because the initial costs were too expensive.

Many of the commissioners say they want the consultant to help educate the public about what the district does and how to protect themselves from mosquito-borne illnesses. However, the district faces an entrenched reputation for contentiousness and the specter of a county takeover.

Commissioner Jeanne Moeller, who brought the topic before the commission, said a specialist was needed because "I don't think people understand what AMCD does."

But Commissioner John Sundeman said that the notion was politically motivated.

"I smell a rat," he said. "This has nothing to do with public education. It's about improving this board's image with the public."

In 2007, then-County Commission Chairman Tom Manuel told the district that the county was going to take over the district and the airport. The commission researched the matter and found that it would take legislative action for the county to take over the district.

That has not happened before in Florida, but the spectre of takeover remains for district commissioners.

The County and District also were recently involved in a dispute over county zoning of a proposed new district headquarters.

"Celebrities ... do C-A-R. Confess, Apologize, and R is for Rehab," Sundeman said. "That's what I suggest. But leave the taxpayers' money alone."

But Moeller named a different reason for hiring a public relations specialist.

"We have hired a public education specialist who is very good in the school system," she said, but said adult education was a different matter.

"I'm not so certain we can't do it better and more efficiently," she said.

Commission Chair Janice Bequette agreed, saying "People need to know what we do and how to protect themselves. If we can do that better with professional help, I'm for that."

Three public relations companies attended the meeting to pitch their services. Costs ranged from a la carte work at $50 per hour to more than $60,000 annually.

Moeller moved to table, saying she did not realize how costly hiring a consultant might be when she raised the matter.

"I would like to us to really think about the presentations," she said. "The cost was a little more expensive than what I thought. Do we need a PR person? I'm not sure. But I do think we need some help with communications skills."

Commissioner Vivian Browning also said a public relations consultant would benefit the district.

She suggested that the commission consider hiring a public relations consultant on call or on retainer.

"I do think it's good to have someone there ... and to be able to call them to duty," she said.



The brass tacks:

* * The Anastasia Mosquito Control District Commission is considering hiring an outside public relations consultant.
* * So far, bids have ranged from a few thousands to more than $60,000 per year.
* * Many of the commissioners say that they want the consultant to help educate the public about what the district does and how to protect themselves from mosquito-born illness. However, the district faces an entrenched reputation for contentiousness and the spectre of a county takeover.
* * Discussion on the issue was tabled after commissioners learned of the costs, which ranged from $50 an hour to more than $60,000.