Commission consolidates state and federal lobbying under Southern Group after legislative session wins

Leon County commissioners approved the county’s 2025 legislative final report and then voted to consolidate the county’s state and federal lobbying services with a single firm, the Southern Group, under a multi‑year contract after a prolonged discussion about procurement process, performance and return on investment.

Staff report and legislative outcomes County staff and contract lobbyists reviewed the county’s legislative results and asked for direction about the county’s contract-lobbying services. Commissioners were briefed on a range of appropriations and state-agency funding outcomes; county staff noted the county’s work had helped secure significant items this session, including $2,000,000 toward an FDOT project (Crawfordville Road acceleration) and $800,000 for Lake Munson water‑quality improvements. Staff also summarized the county’s existing…