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Scottsdale is set to go month-to-month on its lobbying services as COVID-19 has put a dent in the city’s future capitol plans.
The Scottsdale City Council approved on consent, at its June 30 meeting, a contract extension with Aarons Company to provide state lobbying services for the city for up to six months. This would work out to $4,500 per month and won’t exceed $27,000. The contract extension took effect July 1 and will run until the end of the year or until the city begins a new contract.
In 2015, the City Council approved a contract with The Aarons Company for state lobbying services. Specifically, the city was looking for a consultant that could bolster Scottsdale’s government relations department in advocating for the city’s position on state legislation, rules, regulations and other government actions, according to a staff report to council.
The contract was a one-year deal with the option of four one-year renewals. The final renewal was set to expire on June 30 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city was unable to prioritize a request for proposal at the time.
City staff say this extension is important because Arizona Legislature has indicated it will have several special sessions, COVID-19 recovery stakeholder meetings and make budget adjustments that could impact local governments.
“Staff believes the Aarons Company has provided high quality service to the city and has been instrumental in assisting the city to achieve success with key stakeholders including the governor and members of the legislature,” Brad Lundahl, Scottsdale government relations director, said in a report to City Council.
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