Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislative Lobbying topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board picks Southern Group for short-term legislative push after contentious RFP debate
Summary
After heated debate about procurement rules and political connections, the board voted 4-3 to discard the RFP results and retain Southern Group for an interim legislative lobbying effort during the 2025 session.
The Leon County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-3 to select the Southern Group to provide additional lobbying services for the 2025 legislative session, discarding the formal RFP ranking that had recommended a different firm.
The item arose from board direction issued during a fall legislative workshop to solicit proposals for a second lobbying team to secure state appropriations for county projects. County staff said the RFP returned five responses; personnel told commissioners three of those responses were deemed nonresponsive (two failed to meet MWBE requirements and one omitted a mandatory form). Staff recommended awarding the contract to the highest-ranked responsive proposer. Commissioners then debated whether the board should accept the staff recommendation or override the RFP and pick a different firm.
Commissioners who supported selecting the Southern Group argued the firm's size, Capitol-level connections and local presence would provide the best chance of success in the short window before the legislative session. The Southern Group's principal, Ron Book, addressed the board and described his firm's experience, local office and prior work with delegation members. Commissioners who opposed overturning the RFP cited procurement integrity and the risk of a bid protest; the county attorney warned that the only party with standing to file a formal bid protest would be another responsible vendor but said a court challenge could still be filed.
Madam County Attorney quoted state law, noting that in contracting the board may not base responsibility determinations on vendors' political or ideological positions (citing Fla. Stat. —7287.05701). Several commissioners said the RFP process was compressed and that three respondents were disqualified on technicalities during the holiday period. Commissioners supporting the Southern Group characterized the RFP results as flawed and requested the board exercise its discretion to select a firm they judged best suited to the interim mission.
The substitute motion to "throw out the bids and hire Southern Group" was made by Commissioner Caban, seconded by Commissioner Proctor, and passed 4-3. The board did not publicly record individual aye/no votes in the transcript; the clerk recorded the outcome as a 4-3 majority.
County staff said the contract would cover the remainder of the year and sufficient funds were available. The board directed staff to execute the selection in time to support the county's 2025 appropriations effort; staff also said they would present a future procurement for the longer-term lobby contract after the session.
