Council discusses retaining a lobbyist; staff to return with peer feedback and options

Town Manager Brandon Zidma led a work-session discussion Oct. 28 on whether Morrisville should retain a lobbyist to advance the town’s legislative and funding priorities. He framed possible lobbyist roles to include cultivating relationships with state officials and agencies (DOT, DEQ), tracking relevant legislation, and supporting grant or local-bill efforts.

Staff described a range of approaches used by peer municipalities—some hire an individual lobbyist, others a firm, and some rely heavily on the North Carolina League of Municipalities for legislative tracking. Zidma said peer annual costs generally ranged from about $50,000 to $75,000 depending on service levels.

Councilmembers emphasized clearly defining goals and success metrics before hiring anyone. Several members suggested pausing action until after the 2026 midterm elections so political dynamics are clearer; others advocated for a lightweight option that would let staff quickly engage a vetted firm if a targeted need arises. Council discussed options such as a retainer for a short term, limited outreach to candidate firms, or an RFP process.

Councilmember Johnson urged clarity about objectives—whether the town needs targeted help winning a specific local bill or broader tracking and grant development—and suggested councilmembers speak with peers to assess return on investment. Zidma recommended further outreach to other towns and said staff would bring back a more detailed comparison and recommended next steps, aiming for a February work session if council members wish to pursue recruitment or funding options.