CITY OF HALLANDALE BEACH

MEMORANDUM

DATE:           August 24, 2007

TO:               D. Mike Good, City Manager

FROM:         Franklin L. Hileman, Manager of Intergovernmental Relations

SUBJECT:   Federal, State and Local Lobbying Services

PURPOSE:

To review the City’s State and Federal Lobbying Contracts and services provided.

BACKGROUND: 

The City currently has a contract with Lawrence J. Smith, Esq. to provide lobbying services at the State level which expired on June 30, 2007 and the City Commission extended the contract until August 31, 2007. The City also has a contract with Lawrence J. Smith Esq. and the MWW Group for lobbying services at the Federal level which will expire on December 31, 2007.

DISCUSSION:

The City has in the past budgeted the following amounts for lobbying services:

                        General Lobbying        $40,000

                        Local Lobbying            $20,000

                        State Lobbying            $47,000

                        Federal Lobbying        $50,000

Total Lobbying                         $157,000

Staff has reviewed and discussed the lobbying efforts and has concluded that a presence in Tallahassee is a necessity during the Legislative Session and Committee meetings in order to effectively represent the City’s interests on issues.  However, during recent years it has become apparent that some of the most effective contact with both State and Federal Legislators and staff has been through the Mayor and City Commissioners themselves.  Therefore staff is recommending the following budget for lobbying services for FY 2007-2008:

                        State Lobbying                                                            $47,000

                        Individual issues as may arise                                    $20,000

The City would be reducing its overall lobbying expenses from $157,000 per year to $67,000 per year for a total savings in the amount of $90,000.

RECOMMENDATION:  

The City Commission renew the contract with Lawrence J. Smith for lobbying services at the State level under the same terms and conditions and provide an additional budget item in the amount of $20,000 for individual issues that may arise at the State, Federal and local level.

Prepared:

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Franklin L. Hileman,

Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs

Reviewed:

________________________

D. Mike Good, City Manager

_____Approved   __________Denied     ________Hold for Discussion

COMMENTS:

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