The City Commission approved a one-year contract with lobbying firm GrayRobinson, P.A. at their Sept. 11 meeting.
The contract for the current firm expires Oct. 31, 2019. The new contract with GrayRobinson, P.A. will be effective Nov. 1, 2019 through Oct. 31, 2020.
The cost of the contract is $45,000 for one year. Funding will come from the Strategic Innovation budget.
“Continuing into FY20, there is sufficient funding in the Strategic Innovation budget to support the proposed state lobbying contract of $45,000,” staff reports. “Resource Management has reviewed the agenda item and concurs that it meets budgeting guidelines.”
The City uses lobbying firms to “effectively engage in the legislative process, protect and advocate for the City’s key interests, and stay informed on important policy initiatives that may impact the City of Tallahassee,” as noted in the meeting agenda.
GrayRobinson, P.A. will provide general state lobbying services. The City uses separate contracts for federal and electric utility lobbying services.
In July, directed by the City Commission, staff issued a Request for Proposals to find a new contract before the current one expires. The Request for Proposals listed six criteria for evaluating a potential firm, including staff qualifications, past performance, and experience, ability, and approach. GrayRobinson scored 10 of 10 in staff qualifications, 9.25 of 10 in past performance, and 9.75 of 10 in experience, ability, and approach.
GrayRobinson scored the highest of all the candidates, including Ronald L. Book, P.A. and Capitol Alliance Group, leading staff to select the firm as the best suited for the 2020 legislative session.
City Commission Approves Contract With GrayRobinson, P.A. added by Lexie Pitzen on
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You are missing the big picture…it’s not they hired a different lobbyist….It’s that hired a lobbyist at all. There is absolutely no need what so ever for the city (or the county) to hire a lobbyist. They pay huge dues to the League of Cities for representation on issues common to all city governments so no other representation is needed. If something specific to the city of Tallahassee comes up, and I have no idea what that might be, the Mayor just needs to walk across the street and speak on behalf of Tallahassee. If that doesn’t work perhaps the two representatives and one senator can do their job and represent the interest of Tallahassee.
Interesting. Gray is a Republican powerhouse.
I thought their criteria was whoever paid the highest campaign contribution/bribe.
So this is the same contract which Ron Book and Sean Pittman both got $60,000 each for last year and in several previous years?
Well lets begin our internal audit with Ron and Sean’s old contract(s).
Book got booked back in Feb:
https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2019/02/25/florida-lobbyist-ron-book-arrested-on-dui-charges-after-lamborghini-crash/