Bay City shakes up staff roles, organizational structure to ‘boost community engagement’

BAY CITY — In line with their strategic goals of boosting community engagement, City of Bay City has created a communications and marketing department and made several organizational changes over the week.

“This move is designed to strengthen the city’s outreach efforts, improve transparency and enhance the effectiveness of communication between the municipality and its residents,” said Samantha Denbow. Denbow has served as the Bay City Public Library’s director for the last 10 years and will now also oversee two other departments including communications and marketing and tourism.

Former Tourism Manager Darve Smith accepted the role of communications specialist under the direction of Denbow, leaving his former position vacant.

The newly established communications department is tasked with engaging residents, visitors and employees through multiple communications methods including social media, city website and app, newsletters, alerts, marketing campaigns and print and digital content.

“The formation of the communications and marketing department marks a significant step toward better serving our residents and improving our interactions with the community,” said Scotty Jones, Interim City Manager. “The changes I am making provide the greatest opportunity for synergy with other departments with like missions.”

Along with the addition of a new department, city officials also decided to not renew a contract between the Main Street program and the Bay City Community Development Corporation at a regular city council meeting held Tuesday evening.

“Bringing the Main Street Department back under the city umbrella is just that — it provides close communication among city departments to work together focusing on strategic goals,” Jones said. “These goals are centered around safety and community appearance, communication and civic engagement, infrastructure, planning and development, culture and creation and operational excellence.”

Jones said the city’s final budget will be adopted mid-September and the city plans to put dollars where their plan is.

“It won’t happen overnight, but the city staff is focused on making things better for our community and I am super excited to be part of it,” she said.

The contract between Bay City and the Bay City Community Development Corporation will conclude on Sept. 30 and the corporation’s director, Jessica Russell, said she’s thankful for the years she’s overseen the program.

“It’s been an incredible opportunity to oversee the Main Street program for so many years,” said Jessica Russell, Bay City Community Development Corporation executive director. “Under the corporation’s leadership we were able to grow the nationally certified program from a part-time position to a full-time position. We fully developed and expanded both the fundraising aspect that contributes to the beautification of our Historic Downtown District and the exposure to the City of Bay City on a state and federal level.”

Main Street Board Chairwoman Tami Savage said the Main Street program has become one of the best in the state in recent years.

“Camofest, the premier fundraiser for the Main Street program, has continuously broken fundraising and attendance records on an annual basis raising $100,000 in 2024 while bringing in over 3,500 attendees,” she said.

Amenities funded by the Main Street partnership with the corporation and Camofest subcommittee has played an influential role in the beautification of downtown Bay City, Russell said.

“Most recent additions include downtown planters, murals and a renovated digital sign,” she said. “During the corporation’s leadership we’ve seen so many businesses move in and vastly improve the appearance of their shops.”

Bay City Mainstreet Manager Tina Israel said she’s grateful for the corporation’s support throughout the years and looks forward to continuing to serve her hometown.

“I am thankful for the role the BCCDC played in my professional development so that I may continue to serve our downtown businesses,” she said. “Currently, I serve as a secretary on the Texas Downtown Board and received my certified Festival and Event certification from Texas Festivals and Events Association. The investment by the corporation into my Main Street education continues to allow me to invest myself back into my hometown, which is one of my greatest passions.”

Denbow said residents can expect to see a variety of new initiatives from the communications department including a newsletter, branding campaign and the hiring of a public information officer.

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