Basalt Town Council voted unanimously last night to hire a public relations specialist. Jeanette Darnauer runs Darnauer Group Communications in Aspen.
She’s been working with the town government since September to improve communication with the public. However, her contract was a surprise to many, including some council members.
The contract is set at $10,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses, and ends Nov. 8, which is election day.
She’ll work with the town government to communicate about the bond issue in the upcoming election, which will decide what the town does with the Pan and Fork Property in downtown Basalt.
Critics argue the Basalt Town Council isn’t transparent enough. At the beginning of Tuesday’s session, councilman Mike Kittle asked for the resignation of his colleague, Jenn Riffle. That’s after she violated open meeting law in an email exchange with colleagues. She said she intends to keep her seat.
