Lindsay City staff recommended the Lindsay City Council approve a one-year contract for lobbying services to help secure state and federal grants and budget allocations, staff said during the meeting.

City staff told the council they solicited three proposals and evaluated them by cost, relevant experience, and key personnel. Staff recommended the firm with experience working with water agencies and similarly sized cities so the city can “have a bigger voice” in funding conversations, staff said. The presentation emphasized the lobbyist’s role in tracking legislation, preparing policy guidance for the council and administration, and helping the city get included in grant and budget allocation requests.

Why it matters: council members and staff said targeted lobbying can increase the city’s visibility during state and federal budget cycles and help the city compete for capital allocations, road funds and other project-specific grants. Staff cited past allocations secured without a lobbyist and said a contract would help the city be more proactive in submitting requests during budget negotiation windows.

Discussion: staff said the contract would not guarantee grant awards but would increase the city’s likelihood of success by ensuring the right applications and advocacy are seen by decision-makers. Council members asked for examples of return on investment and for clarification about what the contractor would and would not do. Staff referenced previous allocations facilitated through legislative channels as examples of possible outcomes but made clear those earlier allocations were obtained with other methods.

No formal motion or vote on the lobbying contract appears in the transcript. Staff said the proposed term would be one year with a later reassessment; specific contract amounts were not stated in the public remarks recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Council members indicated interest in the proposal and asked follow-up questions about measurable results and priorities; the transcript does not record a final decision or vote on the recommended contract.