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Office of the °y INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ADMINISTRA.TOR Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator Michael C. Zito,Assistant County Administrator MEMORANDUM TO: Members of the Board of County Commissioners FROM: Joseph A. Baird, County Administrator DATE: September 11, 2013 SUBJECT: Procurement of Lobbyist_ DESCRIPTION: At the Board of County Commission meeting of August 20, 2013, the Board directed staff to proceed with procuring a lobbyist to work with the county in our efforts to educate the appropriate State and Local officials on issues which could delay or block the sale of the City of Vero Beach Electric Utility to Florida Power and Light. Staff met with Glenn Heran and Dr. Stephen Faherty to determine a list of potential lobbying firms that could provide the necessary services. Attached is a final list of lobbyists. Conference calls have been scheduled with each firm and they are being requested to submit proposals. At the time of this writing, the conference calls had not been completed, and the 9roposals had not been received. These matters should be completed prior to the September 17 commission meeting. In the interest of time, this item is scheduled for discussion with additional back-up to be provided and the recommendation of a lobbyist to be made at the meeting. Because Glenn Heran and Dr. Stephen Faherty are the most knowledgeable on the facts related to this issue, and are the most articulate on this subject, they may be requested to travel to Tallahassee on our behalf. Staff requests authorization to reimburse them for requested travel on our behalf in compliance with Section 112.061, Florida Statutes. FUNDING: The Board of County Commissioners allocated $100,000.00 for these lobbying efforts. The funding for this effort will come from General Fund Contingencies, and will be processed through the County Administrator Other Professional Services Account 00120112-033190. 134