Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Connie Juarez-Diroll, Chief Legislative Officer
Subject: State and Federal Advocacy Services Agreements
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a third amendment to the agreement with Political Solutions, LLC for state advocacy services extending the term through December 31, 2025 and increasing the amount by $96,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $384,000; and
B) Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a third amendment to the agreement with Cruz Strategies, LLC for state advocacy services extending the term through December 31, 2025 and increasing the amount by $96,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $384,000; and
C) Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive to execute a third amendment to the agreement with Carpi and Clay, LLC for federal advocacy services extending the term through December 31, 2025 and increasing the amount by $96,000 for a new not to exceed amount of $384,000; and
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BACKGROUND:
The County has retained Political Solutions, LLC (“Political Solutions”), Cruz Strategies, LLC (“Cruz Strategies”), and Carpi & Clay, Inc (“Carpi & Clay”) to support its state and federal legislative advocacy. Political Solutions and Cruz Strategies have successfully and effectively represented the County in state matters since May 2009 and May 2014, respectively. Carpi & Clay has represented the County at the federal level since 2021.
In the fall of 2021, the County issued Requests for Proposals (RFP) for state and federal advocacy services. A Board sub-committee and County staff conducted interviews and recommended the County contract with Political Solutions and Cruz Strategies for state lobbying services with a division of policy areas, as follows:
Political Solutions:
• Early learning and childcare
• Health and hospitals
• Human services
• Housing
• Child Support
Cruz Strategies:
• Elections
• Land use
• Local government
• Public Safety
• Tax and Finance
• Transportation
• Environment.
The same committee also recommended the County contract for federal lobbying services with Carpi & Clay.
DISCUSSION:
State and Federal Advocacy Teams:
Given their strong performance in representing the County and solid expertise in policy areas unique to San Mateo, the County Executive’s Office believes it is in the County’s best interest to continue contracting with its current lobbying teams for state and federal advocacy services.
Political Solutions will continue representing the County in the policy areas agreed upon in 2021. Pursuant to the proposed agreement, Political Solutions will receive a yearly fee of $96,000 in calendar year 2025.
Cruz Strategies will continue representing the County in the policy areas agreed upon in 2021. Pursuant to the proposed contract amendment, Cruz Strategies will receive a yearly fee of $96,000 in calendar year 2025.
Carpi & Clay will continue representing the County in all relevant policy areas at the federal level. Pursuant to the proposed contract amendment, Carpi and Clay will receive a yearly fee of $96,000 in calendar year 2025.
These are the second amendments to the current agreements with these advocacy firm. Per standing policy, County staff will conduct a new competitive RFP process to solicit state and federal advocacy services in the Fall of 2026 and reserves the right to contract with the firms annually until then.
The resolutions have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form. The resolutions contain the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate per agreement).
EQUITY IMPACT:
The County’s state and federal advocacy efforts and the 2025 Legislative Session Program support policies that further or enhance equity goals in addressing the needs of underserved, disadvantaged, or marginalized residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The terms of the three Agreements are from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, not to exceed amount of $96,000 per agreement for the calendar year 2025. Appropriation for these Agreements have been included in the County Executive’s Office FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.