HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2004.01.08 - 27518Miscellaneous Resolution #04002
BY: Commissioner Helaine Zack, District #22
RE: Board of Commissioners - Cancellation of Professional Services Contract with
Outside Legislative Lobbyist Firm
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen;
WHEREAS Oakland County Board of Commissioners has recognized the importance of
presenting the views and perspective of Oakland County on the vital budgetary and
legislative issues that are under consideration by the State Legislature and Congress in
addition to, the policies of the Governor of Michigan and their executive offices; and
WHEREAS Oakland County has implemented a number of mechanisms for the purpose
of actively representing the interests of Oakland County relative to proposed laws, statutes
public acts, regulations, as well as, executive and administrative orders; and
WHEREAS the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Michigan Association of
Counties (MAC) -- represent the interests of county governments and through the
collective involvement of elected County Commissioners, have undertaken successful
lobbying efforts that have had an enormous impact on legislation affecting our
communities. These county organizations have been vigorous campaigners for adequate
funding for county government; and
WHEREAS advocates on behalf of Oakland County have included elected county officials,
department directors and staff, and the professional lobbying services retained by the
County Executive, Drain Commissioner, Road Commission for Oakland County and Board
of Commissioners; and
WHEREAS Miscellaneous Resolution #03049 a Professional Services Contract was
entered into with Strategic Public Affairs, LLC to provide government relations lobbying
and consulting on behalf of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners at a cost of
$48,000 per year; and
WHEREAS the recent 5% cut in Revenue Sharing from the State of Michigan will cost
Oakland County approximately $1.1 million. The Commissioners and County Executive
have taken proactive steps to address the reduction in revenues in order to avoid
employee layoffs, including: a hiring freeze, travel ban, the delay in capital expenditures;
and
WHEREAS there remains a need for budgetary caution and fiscal restraint, as we face
these uncertain financial times; and
WHEREAS it would be more cost-effective and expedient to take better advantage of the
resources that are currently available - including 25 elected County Commissioners - to
present views on the issues that impact Oakland County residents, while implementing the
cost-saving measure of terminating the professional services contract for government
relations consulting that is retained by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
Commissio
District #
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Commissioner
District # it
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners hereby finds that the services of a government relations consulting firm are
no longer required on behalf of the Board of Commissioners, nor fiscally prudent for
Oakland County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
terminates the professional services contract for government relations consulting services
which are retained on behalf of the Board of Commissioners with Strategic Public Affairs,
LLC.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this termination shall take place thirty (30) days after
the passage of this resolution.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Re4setiondio 3
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Resolution
Commissioner Frolaine Zack
District #22
CoReflissioner
District #23
Resolution #04002 January 8, 2004
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.