Cowley College election proposal insert cost city nothing, Shields said
By Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Some people may have noticed that an informational brochure concerning an election initiative to build a Cowley County Satellite Campus in Sumner County which will be built in Wellington was included in this month’s City of Wellington utility bills. The question to raise a half-cent sales tax to construct the facility is currently on the November General Election ballot.
There have been some posts on social media expressing concerns about the city of Wellington’s involvement. Sumner Newscow asked Wellington City Manager Shane Shields what led to the distribution of the brochure, if it cost the city of Wellington anything, and if there is a law stipulating the city distributing what could be viewed by some as advocacy material. This is Shields response:
“There was an insert with the utility bills. There have been various instances in the past where informational inserts have been allowed with the utility bills. On inquiry if an insert could be included regarding Cowley College, the answer given was yes, providing, that it would only be informational and not advocate voting one way or the other.
 Informational inserts usually do not, and are not expected to, add to the postage cost. In this instance, due to the weight of the insert, there was a slight increased postage cost created in some of our bill mailings. The resulting increase in postage cost was about $156. That cost has already been reimbursed to the City.
 The City has no policy in place regarding utility inserts. Insert requests are considered on an individual basis. The intent is providing public service type information for public knowledge.”
  Â
