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Discuss the proposed City Council Media Engagement Guidelines.
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REQUESTOR:
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal
BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch operates under a Council-Manager form of government, in which the City Council serves as the legislative and policy-making body, and the City Manager is responsible for the administration of daily operations and implementation of Council policy. Within this structure, the Mayor and City Council play a vital role in communicating the City's goals, priorities, and strategic direction to residents, businesses, and community partners.
In support of these responsibilities, staff have developed Council and Mayoral Media Engagement Guidelines consistent with the Texas Open Meetings Act and the Texas Public Information Act. These guidelines are intended to ensure that communication from City leadership remains transparent, accurate, and legally compliant.
The guidelines mirror practices in other cities, such as Richardson, Carrollton, Plano, and Austin, where elected officials are encouraged to engage with the media on matters of policy and governance, supported by factual coordination with the City Manager.
These proposed practices are also in line with the City's evolving relationship with the regional and local media and local newspapers as we continue to provide opportunities to share our community's story and keep our residents informed.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Council and Mayoral Media Engagement Guidelines emphasize a unified and professional approach to public communication. The guidelines establish the following key principles:
* Clarity of Roles: The Mayor and City Council are the public representatives of City policy decisions, while the City Manager handles operational and administrative matters.
* Transparency and Integrity: All public communication should be factual, timely, and reflective of adopted City policy.
* Coordination and Accuracy: The City Council is encouraged to coordinate with ...
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