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Council approves $99,000-a-year contract for federal lobbying on airport priorities
Summary
Lubbock City Council approved a one-year, renewable contract to retain a federal lobbying firm for the airport to pursue earmarks and advocate on FAA/TSA issues.
Lubbock — The City Council on Jan. 14 approved a one-year contract (with up to four annual extensions) to retain federal-government affairs services for Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport.
The airport director told council the airport is an enterprise fund that relies heavily on federal capital programs, and staff want a presence in Washington to pursue congressional directed funding and monitor issues such as PFAS/AFFF remediation, changes to the Airport Improvement Program and TSA funding.
Contract details: Council was told the firm’s fee is $99,000 per year; financing for the contract will come from airport enterprise funds and will not use general-tax revenues. Airport Director Kelly Campbell said the contract was intended to help the airport seek discretionary and earmarked federal funding and to maintain relationships with federal agencies.
Why council approved it: Supporters said the return on even a modest investment could be substantial: Campbell cited a recent round of congressional "earmarks" that distributed more than $482 million in airport-directed funds nationally. Several councilmembers said professional representation in Washington and a sustained federal affairs effort could increase the airport’s competitiveness for similar funding.
Opposition and concerns: Councilmember Glasheen opposed taxpayer-funded lobbying in principle and questioned whether the city’s congressional delegation could effectively represent the airport’s interests without a paid lobbyist. Supporters replied that federal relationships and appropriations processes are complex and that a dedicated presence can be effective.
Vote: The contract passed on a council vote of 6–1. The dollar amount and the funding source (airport enterprise fund) were recorded by staff during the presentation.
Next steps: Airport staff will execute the contract and begin coordinating federal advocacy priorities with the city’s delegation and airport stakeholders.
