ITEM:		ACTION ITEM
17.	CONSIDER EXPENDITURE OF BUDGETED FUNDS TO PRINT AND MAIL A NEWSLETTER THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT
Meeting Date:			October 15, 2012	Budgeted:	Yes
From:			David J. Stoldt	Program/	Public Outreach
			General Manager	Line Item No.:	3-1-1
Prepared By:			Rachel Martinez	Cost Estimate:	$15,000
General Counsel Review: N/A
Committee Recommendation: The Public Outreach Committee reviewed this item on October 4, 2012, and recommended publication and distribution of the newsletter.
CEQA Compliance: N/A

SUMMARY: The Public Outreach Committee requested a newsletter be developed and distributed throughout the District in order to provide information on current issues. The recommendation was for staff to revise the regular quarterly newsletter by reducing it to two pages and mail the abbreviated newsletter to District residents.

The widest distribution method, and at the lowest cost, is to use the United States Postal Service’s Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) program to mail the newsletter to every residential address in District boundaries. Under this program, the District would reach an estimated 51,000 residences at the reduced postage rate of $0.145 per piece. Postage and processing is estimated to cost approximately $10,000.

Staff has obtained a competitive printing quote of approximately $5,000 for 51,000 copies of a full-color, double-sided printing on 8.5”x11” paper.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve a cost not-to-exceed $15,000 to print and mail a newsletter to all residents within District boundaries this fall.

IMPACT TO STAFF RESOURCES: The Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget includes $30,600 to fund this effort under Public Outreach.

EXHIBITS

17-A Draft Version of Newsletter

U:\staff\Boardpacket\2012\20121015\ActionItem\17\item17.docx