The Parlier City Council voted to table a proposed renewal of Townsend Public Affairs’ state and federal lobbying contract after several council members said they had not received enough information about the company’s recent work and the proposed fee.

Spencer Street of Townsend Public Affairs, the city’s lobbyist in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., described recent grant and earmark work, saying the firm has helped secure roughly $4.6 million for the city over the past five years for projects including police department modernization and a proposed indoor-outdoor sports park. "We've brought in about $4,600,000 for the city," Spencer said.

Council members, however, expressed frustration that they had not seen regular updates referencing Townsend specifically. Questions at the dais centered on how long the city’s prior contract had run, why the contract had previously been reduced after the COVID-19 period, and whether the firm’s current request (presented at the meeting as an increased monthly fee) had been justified. Council members noted the contract had been adjusted to lower amounts during the pandemic and said they wanted to see the history and terms before renewing.

Nut graf: After roughly 30 minutes of discussion and questions, the council voted to table the item so staff could provide contract history and clarify the proposed fee. The motion to table passed 4–1; the mayor recorded the lone vote in opposition.

In the body: Townsend’s representative said the firm acts as an extension of city staff, handles state and federal advocacy including earmarks and projects such as a pedestrian crossing on Manning Avenue and police funding, and can provide more frequent updates to the council. Council members asked that Townsend appear by video at the next meeting if possible and that staff confirm the firm’s prior contract terms and last negotiated fee.

Ending: Councilors asked staff to return the item with contract documents (term history, prior rates, and the rationale for the proposed fee) so they could make a final decision. Townsend indicated willingness to provide additional materials and to join a subsequent meeting by Zoom.