Postal Partners

To offset the cost of the mail operation, Johnson is looking for opportunities wherever he can find them.

"One thing we are doing is charging back what customers we can—any non-county entity, which we call 'enterprise funds,' " he says. "They're supposed to pay for all the expenses."

Sonoma State's Leonard also admits it's tough to turn a decent profit with a mailing operation, but it can be done (see sidebar).