Council approves $36,000 grant-writing contract with Insight Advisory Group despite expressed reservations

The Bedford Heights City Council on April 21 adopted Resolution 2026-028, authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with Insight Advisory Group for grant-writing and consulting services not to exceed $36,000 and declaring an emergency.

The vote followed a motion to suspend the rules so the council could act immediately. The measure passed on roll call; the transcript records the motion, second and successive roll-call confirmations leading to adoption.

Councilman Tinker, who spoke during the discussion, said he voted yes but warned the council that the firm had not produced the breadth of grant opportunities the selection committee expected. "I actually have some reservation ... it seems like all we received was help with grants that we would normally apply for without them," Tinker said, adding that he voted in favor because "we do need a grant writer."

Resident Cynthia Johnson asked later during public comment whether Insight had applied for grants the city could not meet eligibility for; Mayor Stevens responded that the concern was more about departments providing incomplete information to Insight than Insight acting in bad faith. "It wasn't Insight doing it," the mayor said.

The resolution directs the mayor to execute a contract for consulting and grant-writing services up to the stated amount. The measure was described in the meeting as an emergency appropriation so work can begin quickly.

What happens next: staff will finalize the contract and the mayor's office will proceed with the consultant relationship. Council members flagged a need for clearer deliverables and for directors to share timely information with the consultant so the city can pursue competitive grant opportunities.