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10.c Staff Report-designating official newspaper Staff Report Date of Meeting: January 16, 2024 To: City Council From: Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Re: Designate Official Newspaper Background: State Statute requires the council, at the annual meeting, to designate a newspaper of general circulation as its official newspaper in which the city will publish ordinances and other matters as required by law. Last year, the Council designated the Country Messenger as the official newspaper for 2023, as it did in 2017-22. Previously, the Forest Lake Times was the official newspaper from 2007 through 2009, and in 2011 and 2016. In 2010, the Country Messenger was designated the legal newspaper after state law was changed to reduce the circulation requirement from 500 to 400, and a legal issue with the location of the office of issue was resolved. The Country Messenger was the official newspaper of the city in 2012 through 2015 as well. In December 2023, staff requested proposals from the Forest Lake Times and Country Messenger. A summary of their responses is found on page 2 of this report. Issue: Which newspaper should be designated as the official newspaper of the city for 20 24? Proposal Details: Attached. Fiscal Impact: The 2024 budget for legal notices is $1,500. Options: 1) Designate the Country Messenger as the official newspaper for 2024 2) Designate the Forest Lake Times as the official newspaper for 20 24 City of Scandia Comparison of Legal Newspaper Proposals January, 2024 Newspaper Forest Lake Times Country Messenger Meets Requirements of Minnesota Statutes 331A.02 Yes Yes Office Location Forest Lake, Minnesota Osceola, Wisconsin Total Circulation 1,793 875 Scandia Circulation 100 468 Distribution Method U.S. Mail and dealer locations in Forest Lake 25 free copies at Community Center, U.S. Mail, and dealer locations: Olde Towne Liquor, Scandia Store, Big Marine Store, Marine General Store Subscription Price Mailed and digital subscription $67.60 per year Mailed subscription $41.00 per year $0.75 single copy Publication Schedule Weekly, Thursday Weekly, Wednesday Submission Deadline Monday, 3:00 p.m. Friday, 12:00 p.m. Type Size/ Lines per Inch 7 pt/ 9 lines per inch 7 pt/ 9 lines per inch Price per Column Inch $6.00 $4.75 Posted on Paper’s Website, No Extra Charge Yes Yes Designated Official Newspaper Forest Lake, Columbus, FL School District 831 Marine on St. Croix, May Township, Washington County