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Lynn Haven Adds Tallahassee Lobbyist; Commission Approves Contract With Capital City Consulting
Summary
The commission approved a contract to add Drew Minor of Capital City Consulting to the city’s lobbying team beginning Sept. 1, 2025, under a $5,500 monthly retainer; commissioners and the public questioned cost, overlap with existing lobbyist services and whether the additional firm will increase the city’s appropriations success.
The Lynn Haven City Commission on Sept. 2 approved a contract to retain Capital City Consulting’s Drew Minor for lobbying and appropriations work beginning Sept. 1, 2025.
Interim City Manager Chris Lightfoot said the city hopes the additional lobbyist will improve the city’s prospects in Tallahassee after a recent legislative session in which some local appropriation requests were cut. The contract indicates a minimum 12-month retainer, $5,500 per month, beginning Sept. 1, 2025, continuing on a month-to-month basis thereafter with a 30-day termination clause.
Commissioners and members of the public questioned the additional cost and whether two retained lobbyists — the city currently works with a separate consultant, Missy Timmons — would duplicate efforts. Lightfoot described $5,500 as “basically the retainer, per month for the lobbyist, and it is basically the price you pay of being able to be represented well.” He and commissioners acknowledged the arrangement does not guarantee appropriations, but staff said the new consultant brings direct relationships within the current administration that could improve the city’s chances of winning high-dollar appropriations.
Commission discussion focused on expected cost (the combined retainers create a larger line-item in the city’s budget), the degree of overlap with the city’s existing lobbying contract and an expectation that staff would manage expenses and seek approvals for additional reimbursable costs such as travel and meals.
The commission approved the contract in a roll-call vote: Commissioners Wark, Tender, Peebles and Purnell voted yes; Mayor Nelson voted no. Supporters argued that an additional lobbyist with high-level state contacts could help the city secure major appropriations that would make the retainer cost-effective if even one large appropriations request were successful.
Staff said they will monitor results and return to the commission if adjustments to the arrangement are needed; the commission asked staff to manage the contract and to report appropriations outcomes to the city.
