Stillwater Utilities Authority approves $79,200 extension for federal advocacy after MMO Partners briefing

The Stillwater Utilities Authority voted unanimously Nov. 3 to approve a one-year extension agreement for federal advocacy services with MMO Partners, approving $79,200 in contract costs and accompanying budget amendments following an annual report from the firm.

Shelly Kriens, who introduced the item and identified MMO Partners as the city's federal advocacy team, recommended approval of the extension and associated budget adjustments. The presiding official moved to approve the staff recommendation as amended to remove an authorization for the general manager that trustees said was not listed on the agenda; the motion passed 5-0.

The MMO Partners presentation summarized federal developments that affect municipal water projects and the city's advocacy priorities. "There's a $30,000,000 authorization for the city that was included" in the Water Resources Development Act authorization language, the presenter said, noting the authorization allows the city to seek future appropriations and work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on water and wastewater infrastructure. The presenter described WRDA's authorization as a tool the city can use to build a pipeline of projects eligible for future funding.

MMO Partners also reviewed pending federal budget and policy changes that could affect grant programs. The firm said the FEMA Act under consideration would move FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security and create a mitigation formula program that would send money to states, which would then suballocate 50% to local governments. On the status of federal resilience funding, MMO Partners reported the BRIC account balance at about $4.8 billion.

The presenter cautioned that appropriations remain uncertain amid a federal funding gap and a continuing resolution that extended funding in the short term. The firm noted $1,000,000 listed in the House interior appropriations bill for a drinking-water system request and named Representative Lucas and "Sarah Mullen" as supporters on the House and Senate sides, while stressing that appropriations actions had not been finalized.

Trustees thanked MMO Partners for the work and asked questions about past BRIC applications and options to recover or reapply for resilience funding. Trustees and staff emphasized the need to translate authorizations and federal advocacy into on-the-ground projects; MMO Partners said it will prioritize identifying projects the city can advance for appropriations and maintain sustained outreach to congressional delegations and federal agency staff.

Votes at a glance: - Consent docket: approved 5-0. - MMO Partners extension agreement ($79,200) and budget amendment (as amended to remove authorization for the general manager): approved 5-0. - Adjournment: approved 5-0.

The meeting concluded after the vote; staff and MMO Partners said they expect to pursue appropriations requests and a project pipeline against the WRDA authorization in the coming year.