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Public Works Board extends Lodestar Partners contract for one year to maintain government-relations support
Summary
At a special meeting the Washington State Public Works Board approved a one-year extension of a personal services contract with Lodestar Partners (07/01/2026–06/30/2027) to preserve government-relations continuity while MOU talks with the Department of Commerce continue; staff will finalize the contract for signature before month-end.
The Washington State Public Works Board voted at a special meeting to extend a one-year personal services contract with Lodestar Partners to provide government-relations services from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Sheila Richardson, executive director, told the board the extension would avoid a lapse in government-relations coverage while the board and Commerce negotiate a memorandum of understanding. Richardson said the existing contract includes a termination-for-convenience clause and that staff would prepare the new 12-month agreement and send it to Brian for signature before the end of the month.
The contract extension authorizes an additional year at $60,000, Richardson said, and would allow the board to avoid a time-consuming request-for-proposals process this month. The staff-recommended action identified the contract as personal service contract 26-64100And10-001 with Lodestar Partners.
Member Justin Clary, who served on last year’s selection committee, summarized why the board originally chose Lodestar — a multi-person team approach — and said the firm’s team has since shrunk and lost a key staffer, Jasmine Vasavada. "Their monthly reports have been somewhat generic at best in my view," Clary said, while adding that he would nevertheless support a one-year extension if the firm improves reporting and outreach to board members.
Member Ed Stern framed the vote as preparatory to broader MOU negotiations with the Department of Commerce, saying the board needs flexibility to protect its independence and resources. The motion to approve the extension was moved by Member Ed Stern and seconded by Jerome Delvin; the chair called for a voice vote and announced the motion passed.
Sheila Richardson said staff will incorporate the board's feedback — including expectations about reporting and the board's ability to terminate for cause — into the new contract. The board also acknowledged recent staff turnover and thanked departing employee Angela Castro for her service.
The board closed the special meeting with no recorded roll-call vote; members expressed support and the chair announced the motion passed by voice vote. Staff will finalize and circulate the renewed contract prior to the end of the month.
