TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The City Council unanimously approved a one-year professional lobbying agreement with Smith & Associates, retaining Jason Steele to coordinate state-level advocacy on appropriations, grants and agency matters, starting Oct. 1.

Under the contract, Steele will work on behalf of Titusville at a monthly rate of $2,500 and the contract includes FY26 spending not to exceed $35,000 unless council later approves additional funding. Steele told council he is a former county commission chair and state representative, said he has existing relationships at the state level and described the work as both making the city visible to legislators and helping prepare “shovel-ready” appropriations requests likely to be favorably considered.

Council members asked about performance expectations and reporting. Steele agreed to provide monthly reports to the city manager and to coordinate meetings with legislators and state agency staff, including support when the city travels to Tallahassee for League of Cities events. Councilmembers emphasized the need to identify a short list of shovel-ready projects (public safety, infrastructure, lagoon projects) that staff and the lobbyist can present to the delegation quickly.

Why it matters: City officials said Titusville has not actively filed state appropriations in recent years and that outside advocacy could improve the city’s chances for grant funding and legislative appropriations tied to infrastructure and lagoon restoration.

Next steps: City staff will work with Steele to identify priority projects and prepare requests for the delegation’s fall meetings and legislative season; Steele will also provide monthly status reports to staff.