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Board approves extension agent MOU and $300,000 public affairs contract; one commissioner objects
Summary
In a special called meeting after the work session, the board unanimously approved an MOU to place a Fort Valley State University county agent with the county extension service and approved a $300,000 government-relations contract with Public Affairs Group LLC (monthly $25,000 payments starting Dec. 1); District 1 Commissioner Newsom voted no on the contract, citing concern about replacing Cornerstone and losing federal lobbying capacity.
At the special called meeting immediately following the Nov. 25 work session, the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners took two formal actions.
First, the board voted unanimously to approve and execute a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on behalf of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and Fort Valley State University to place a Fort Valley State county agent in Dougherty County.
Second, the board considered an agreement with Public Affairs Group LLC for government relations services in the total amount of $300,000, to be paid in monthly installments of $25,000 beginning Dec. 1, 2024. After discussion, the motion to approve the Public Affairs Group contract carried on a recorded voice vote; one commissioner (District 1, Newsom) opposed the contract. Newsom told colleagues he could not support the change because he believed the county’s long-standing relationship with Cornerstone — especially on federal lobbying that previously helped secure prompt FEMA attention after natural disasters — could be endangered and because the new firm appeared to charge a higher fee.
The board chair declared the motions passed and the meeting adjourned.
