Otsego hires city’s first communications specialist

by Joni Astrup

Associate Editor

The city of Otsego has hired its first communications specialist.

The City Council voted 4-1 May 13 to hire Heidi Carey. The position is part-time. There were 42 applicants.

The position is aimed at improving the city’s communication and public engagement for all departments within the city, according to a city memo.

“Currently, tasks are divided between multiple positions, and this would centralize and streamline the communication development process. Proactive and effective communication is a City Council and staff goal,” the memo stated.

Council Member Ryan Dunlap voted against the hiring.

“I don’t see a communications specialist as mission critical at this time and I think our city should probably be in a position where it’s in a hiring freeze, so I’m going to vote no on this, although that no should not be considered a reflection on the candidate,” Dunlap said. He said the city more than likely has a good candidate who will do an excellent job.

The rest of the council supported the new position and hiring.

Mayor Jessica Stockamp said she thinks the communications specialist is a critical position.

She said the City Council talked about it at length while working on the budget and discussed the importance of making sure that residents have time-sensitive information available to them.

“Having one key person for that communication going out would be very valuable to the residents,” Stockamp said.

Council Member Tina Goede agreed: “Communication is key,” she said.

Council Member Jeff Dahl said the city has grown to more than 23,000 people and it’s important to make sure there’s communication going on about all aspects of the city, including parks, streets, City Council and so forth.