Memorandum
Date: December 17, 2024
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Susan Parker, County Administrative Officer
Stephen Carter, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Matthew Rothstein, Chief Deputy County Administrative Officer
Subject: Consideration of a An Engagement Letter Between the County of Lake and Nielsen-Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP, at a Monthly Retainer Rate of $4,500 for an Initial Term of Two Years, with the Option to Annually Extend for Up to Three Additional Years
Executive Summary:
As members of your Board may be aware, on August 26, 2024, the County Administrative Office issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No. 2024-33 for State Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy (Lobbying) Services. To encourage the most competitive possible process, the County Administrative Office staff directly contacted six highly qualified firms on August 30, 2024. As of the September 23, 2024, deadline for Proposals, only one response had been received.
Thankfully, that Proposal came from the County’s excellent existing provider of State Level Advocacy services, Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP.
You will recall, on March 19, 2024, Geoff Neill, Senior Legislative Advocate, provided a presentation to your Board, and responded to questions. Over the course of 2024, Mr. Neill and Michelle Rubalcava have been strong and persistent advocates for the County, providing a consistent presence in Sacramento and fighting for your Board’s Legislative Priorities.
The Engagement Letter attached to your Board’s Agenda describes a retainer of $4,500 for advocacy services; particularly in an environment of relative budget scarcity at the State level, effective advocacy for Lake County’s needs is essential, and Staff finds the proposed level of cost is very reasonable.
Per the Engagement Letter, the term of our Proposed Agreement is October 1, 2024 (retroactive), to September 30, 2026. The Agreement can likewise be extended via three one-year extensions.
Approving this Agreement will provide for high quality advocacy on behalf of the County of Lake over at least three Legislative Sessions. Staff recommends your Board Approve the Engagement Letter, and authorize CAO Parker to sign.
Geoff Neill and Michelle Rubalcava of Nielsen Merksamer will be available to answer any questions from your Board.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☐ Community Collaboration ☒ Business Process Efficiency ☒ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
Approve the Engagement Letter Between the County of Lake and Nielsen-Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, LLP, at a Monthly Retainer Rate of $4,500 for an Initial Term of Two Years, with the Option to Annually Extend for Up to Three Additional Years, and Authorize County Administrative Officer Susan Parker to Sign.