Highland Council approves $100,000 contract with DLS Consulting for lobbying and grant work

The Highland City Council on Aug. 19 approved a $100,000 contract with DLS Consulting Inc. to provide lobbying and grant-advocacy services for the city. Council Member Doug moved to approve the contract and authorize the mayor to sign; Council Member Scott seconded the motion. The contract passed on a 3-2 vote. The contract would fund a firm the city has retained for the previous three years. According to staff, DLS Consulting helped the city secure grants for culinary water improvements in prior years and most recently assisted with a roadway grant for 2026. Staff told the council the contract is budgeted and that the bookkeeping will be adjusted, moving the expense into the city’s roads budget through an internal journal entry. Council members who spoke during the discussion said they value the firm’s connections and past results but stressed that the council should review performance annually. One council member said the firm lives in Highland and had delivered grants in prior years; another said the city should reassess the contract if the firm does not continue to secure funding. No additional conditions or amendments to the contract were noted on the record.