A public relations consultant's paycheck might cause a public relations problem for Madison County in the midst of budget crunch.
Jeff Wehling earned $154,000 from the county since he was hired in 2006 to provide public relations advice that County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan said would "improve the county's image."
County Board Member Judy Kuhn, R-Highland, voted against hiring Wehling in 2006, she said, because "I just didn't see the need for it and I still don't. Do a good job, and you don't need public relations."
Wehling said he's busier than ever.
"As long as (Dunstan) wants to have me, I will be available," Wehling said. "The services I offer to the county are cheaper than having someone on staff do these tasks."
County Administrator Joe Parente said Wehling helps with the county's Web site, releases information about health and environmental programs and handles crisis communications. Wehling said he works with every department in the county.
Though Wehling was originally contracted to work only 600 hours per year, earning $30,000 a year, Wehling earned $36,834 in 2006 and $45,997 in 2007, according to county records obtained by the News-Democrat. His contracted fee increased from $30,000 in 2006 to $42,000 in 2008 when the Finance Committee approved a three-year contract.
The board can go over the budgeted amount if the workload justifies the overages, Parente said. Last year, Wehling earned $49,349 -- $7,349 more than his contracted fee.
This comes at a time when Dunstan said tough economic times mean every department will face cuts. The county board approved a $1.9 million reduction from the previously approved budget. Additional cuts are expected for the 2010 budget, Dunstan said. But it's unclear whether the county will honor Wehling's contract.
"We are looking at a budget reduction in our office as well and that means cuts," Parente said. "We are not prepared at this time to discuss areas potential areas for those cuts."
At least one member of the finance committee thinks Wehling's fee will be reduced in light of the budget cuts.
"That probably will be adjusted because of the shortfall in revenue," said Jack Minner, D-Edwardsville, finance committee chairman and county board member. "This shortfall effects the whole county, every county department, and I anticipate that the contract amount will be adjusted."
County Board Member Kelly Tracy, D-Marine, approved the new contract and said she thinks Wehling is worth the money, adding, "he does a full-time job for part-time pay."
County Board Member Chris Slusser, R-Wood River, voted for the contract, but said in lieu of big budget cuts, the issue should be revisited.
"That's definitely an area where we should be looking to save some money," Slusser said. "We can do our own press releases, I think."
Kuhn still opposes the $50-an-hour position.
"I don't think even during the good times that Madison County should have a public relations person," Kuhn said. "When you talk about cutting departments and eliminating jobs, it's even harder to understand."
Parente maintains Wehling delivers an important service for Madison County residents to inform them about programs and services the county offers. Having a public relations consultant under contract isn't unusual for government agencies and taxing districts, Parente said.
It is, however, for neighboring counties.
St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern, Jersey County Board Chairman Pam Heitzig, Bond County Chairman Jill Franks, Clinton County Clerk Tom LaCaze and Macoupin County Board Chairman Andy Manar all said public relations for their counties are handled internally. Monroe County Coordinator Linda Lehr said she handles media releases as an additional responsibility of her job and that elected officials answer questions on particular topics.
"We are a small county," Lehr said. "We don't have a budget for a P.R. person"
In 2006, St. Clair County hired a full-time employee as the editor of its Web site at $36,000 a year, but the position was later eliminated and the job is now handled by another employee, County Administrator Dan Maher said.
But Wehling, a former reporter who also provided public relations services for the St. Louis Cardinals and its manager Joe Torre and former Glen Carbon trustee who lost his seat in 2005, didn't just work for the county. He also earned $1,500 from Dunstan's campaign last year for professional services, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Illinois Board of Elections.
"He designed a brochure with some talking points for me," Dunstan said, noting that Wehling handled the campaign work separately from the county's work."
E-Mail
Print
