Label
Social News Desk Software
Department of Communications
Rachel Hart
Revised
Title
Authorizing the annual expenditure of $10,799 from the General Fund for Social News Desk Software to enhance the city's online communication and engagement efforts; authorizing the Mayor to enter into a two-year agreement; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
According to Nieman Lab, as of June 2025 social media has displaced television as the top way Americans get news. Over the past few years, the City of Toledo has launched new social media channels to enhance online communication efforts and support operational objectives including enhanced road construction communication, promotion of summer youth programming, and resident engagement.
This Ordinance authorizes the City of Toledo to purchase Social News Desk's social media management software, which provides an alternative to our current platform at a lower price point while delivering comparable capabilities.
Three quotes were obtained for an annual subscription to similar software platforms including Hootsuite, $35,989.60, Sprout Social, $28,500.00, and Social News Desk, $10,799.00. The total cost of the two-year agreement is $21,598.00, to be paid annually in the amount of $10,799.00, subject to the availability of funds.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into a two-year agreement with Social News Desk for the purchase of social media management software upon such terms and conditions that shall be approved by the Director of Communications, Director of Information Technology, and the Director of Law.
SECTION 2. That, subject to appropriation, an amount not to exceed $10,799 annually is authorized for expenditure from General Fund Account Code 1001-10202-1143001STDADM for a total of two years, for the purposes identified in Section 1.
SECTION 3. That the Finance Director is au...
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