REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
February 25, 2025
FROM
LUTHER SNOKE, Chief Executive Officer, County Administrative Office
SUBJECT
Title
Amendment to Contracts for State Legislative Advocacy Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-159 with Capitol Advocacy, LLC, for state legislative advocacy services, increasing the contract amount by $240,000 plus travel expenses, from $480,000, plus travel expenses, to a total not to exceed amount of $720,000, plus travel expenses, and extending the term by one year, for a new contract period of February 28, 2023, through February 27, 2026.
2. Approve Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. 23-160 with Precision Advocacy Group LLC, for state legislative advocacy services, increasing the contract amount by $240,000, plus travel expenses, from $480,000, plus travel expenses, to a total not to exceed amount of $720,000, plus travel expenses, and extending the term by one year, for a new contract period of February 28, 2023 through February 27, 2026.
(Presenter: Leia Fletes, Director of Government Relations, 387-5423)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The increase of $480,000, plus travel expenses, will be funded within the Finance and Administration’s (Department) existing 2024-25 budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The County relies on advocacy services to advance the County’s legislative agenda with the California state government. Approval of this item will authorize the County to extend the current contracts with Capitol Advocacy, LLC (Capitol Advocacy) and Precision Advocacy Group LLC (Precision Advocacy) for an additional one-year period.
On February 28, 2023 (Item No. 29), as a result of Request for Proposal No. CAO123-BOS-4698 the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Contract No. 23-159 with Capitol Advocacy and Contract No. 23-160 with Precision Advocacy to provide state legislative advocacy services in an amount not to exceed $480,000 for each contract, plus travel expenses from February 28, 2023, through February 27, 2025.
Approval of Recommendation No. 1 will allow Capitol Advocacy to continue, as a policy advocacy firm with a focus on advancing County priorities in state legislation, to obtain additional funding in the state budget, assist County staff to gain state administrative agency approvals on key County priority projects, and coordinate visits by County elected officials and staff to Sacramento.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will allow Precision Advocacy to continue, as a state research lobbying firm, to focus on major County priorities for human services, housing, homelessness, cannabis policy, and coordinate with statewide county associations.
The contracts with Capitol Advocacy and Precision Advocacy may be terminated by the County without cause with 30 days’ written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Julie Surber, Principal Assistant County Counsel, 387-5455) on January 21, 2025; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on January 21, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on January 24, 2025.