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Manatee County votes to terminate federal lobbying contract, seeks more targeted representation
Summary
Citing limited recent value and upcoming redistricting, the commission voted 5–1 to give 30‑day notice terminating its federal lobbying services contract and signaled interest in a boutique, appropriations‑focused replacement.
The Board of County Commissioners voted 5–1 to issue 30‑day, no‑cause notice to terminate the county's federal lobbying services contract. Commissioner Tal Siddiq moved to begin termination and to direct staff to close out deliverables and, if the board agrees later, issue a request for proposals for a successor.
Commissioner Siddiq and others said the county needs federal representation more narrowly focused on appropriations committees and transportation and recommended a boutique firm with deeper appropriations ties. "We should revisit a structure that mentions building relationships with appropriations committees and transportation committees," the chair said, urging tighter deliverables in any future agreement.
Commissioner George Cruz, who supported termination, said prior boutique representation had secured design and appropriations funding and argued a smaller firm that makes the county an important client could perform better than a generalist firm. Commissioner McCann voted against ending the contract.
The board instructed staff to issue the 30‑day notice, close out current work, and consider a new procurement with clarified deliverables and emphasis on appropriations and committee staff relationships.
Why this matters: With congressional redistricting and turnover, the county says it will reassess how it seeks federal appropriations and representation; a new vendor and a more focused scope could affect the county’s approach to securing federal design or project funding.
