County proposes social media strategy

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

Wheatland County is currently working on implementing a new social media strategy, as it currently does not have one. The hope is to provide another tool to connect with its residents, bring them to the website and update them on county news and events.
“It just gives them another layer of communication that they can get information from us, or ask questions,” said Lisa Bastarache, Wheatland County’s communications officer.
She did not hesitate to say that the concept is not just for ratepayers, but for the general public to view too.
“I think right now, our main target audience will be rate payers,” said Bastarache.
A policy has to be put in place in regards to what social media tool the county will use and who can post on the website. Once the policy is approved, then county staff can move forward on creating the strategy.
“The policy is going to outline the platforms we’re going to use,” said Bastarache. “And who within the county can post things and tweet about stuff and just parameters around what information will go out to the social media, as opposed to newsletters, or in the newspaper, or on our website.”
In addition, the county got permission to revamp their website and the possibility of an app as well.
Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester added his take on the matter in that he thinks it will be a guideline that will run consistently once the strategy is put into motion.
“Policy is a guideline,” said Koester. “We’re just setting it up to be fluid.”
The policy will be brought back to council in October.