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Mahnomen council approves $18,000 contract with Flaherty & Hood for hospital lobbying
Summary
The council approved a shared $18,000 contract with Flaherty & Hood to provide state legislative lobbying for the Mahnomen Health Center project; the fee is split $6,000 each among the city, county and hospital and was approved on a 5-0 vote.
The Mahnomen City Council voted March 2 to approve a contract with Flaherty & Hood, P.A. to provide state government relations services in support of the Mahnomen Health Center project. The flat fee for the contract is $18,000, to be split evenly between the City of Mahnomen, Mahnomen County and Mahnomen Health ($6,000 each). The motion to approve carried 5-0.
City staff included the firm’s revised proposal in the meeting packet and noted the contract includes drafting legislation, securing bill authors and direct lobbying of committee chairs and administration staff. Councilmember LuAnn Durant moved to approve the contract; Kelly Phillips seconded the motion. Council members voted in favor: Curtis Uran, Kelly Phillips, Duane Schouveiller, LuAnn Durant and Deb McArthur.
The contract’s scope, as described in the packet, lists services such as developing a legislative strategy, drafting amendments, securing bill authors, coordinating testimony and monitoring bills through the legislative process. The packet notes Flaherty & Hood intends to bill additional reasonable expenses (printing, travel, meals) separately and split those costs among the three parties.
The agreement is intended to support efforts during the 2026 legislative session to secure state funding for the Mahnomen Health Center project. The packet identifies Shane Zahrt of Flaherty & Hood as the lead lobbyist on the account and indicates the firm will continue to involve consultant Loren Solberg, who previously worked on the project.
Next steps: Council approved the motion and the city will proceed with execution of the contract as the county and hospital board have already approved their shares.
