In 2016, the City of Independence issued a Request for Proposals for lobbying services. John Bardgett and Associates was deemed to be the most qualified respondent and, upon affirmative vote of the City Council, was awarded a contract in the amount of $90,000 annually for these services.

Shortly thereafter, the City Council gave direction to issue a second Request for Proposals to identify a firm to provide lobbying services exclusively for Independence Power & Light. Strategic Capitol Consulting was deemed to be the most qualified respondent and, upon affirmative vote of the City Council, was awarded a contract in the amount of $90,000 annually for these services.

In 2018, both lobbying firms saw their annual compensation for services increased to $120,000 by vote of the City Council.

The contract for services with John Bardgett and Associates expires August 31, 2020. The contract for services with Strategic Capital Consulting expires October 31, 2020. Both contracts have exhausted all renewals and must be rebid this year.

If approved, this resolution would direct the City Manager to reduce the number of firms providing lobbying services for the City of Independence from two to one and would reduce the total amount spent on lobbying services from $240,000 to a range between $90,000-$120,000.

The fiscal impact to the City is a minimum reduction of ($120,000) in the Power & Light Fund. Funding for one lobbyist would be an expenditure of up to $120,000 and is included in the 2021 adopted budget in the following funds:

Fund Account Amount

General 002-4021 30,000

Sanitary Sewer 030-5201 30,000

Water 040-4810 30,000

Power and Light 020-6110 30,000

Total $ 120,000