Agenda Item Wording:
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Federal Legislative Advocacy services agreement - Authorize the City Manager to execute an annual services agreement with Thorn Run Partners for federal legislative advocacy services effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, for a monthly fee of $7,000 with up to four (4) additional one-year extension options.
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Agenda Date: 11/16/2026
Prepared by:
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, 559-713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an annual services agreement with Thorn Run Partners for federal legislative advocacy services effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, for a monthly fee of $7,000, plus any pre-approved travel related expenses not to exceed $3,000 annually, with up to four (4) additional one-year extension options.
Summary:
A Request for Proposals (RFP) was recently issued for federal legislative advocacy services given the existing contract for services expires December 31, 2026. Six (6) firms responded to the RFP, and after proposal review and interviews by the review committee members, Thorn Run Partners is recommended as the firm to submit to Council to authorize the execution of an annual services agreement. Thorn Run Partners is the current service provider and has been so since 2018. The annual services agreement would include a monthly fee of $7,000 and may be extended for up to four (4) additional one-year terms with annual Council approval. Additionally, Thorn Run has historically presented annually to the Council an update on Federal legislative matters and sought input for priority matters going into the next year. These in-person presentations require travel-related expenses that the City has reimbursed each year and equate to under $3,000 annually.
Background Discussion:
Thorn Run Partners has served as the City’s federal legislative advocacy services firm since 2018, with a Partner in the firm, Greg Burns, serving as the City’s lead lobbyist. Burns has been the City’s lead federal lobbyist since 2010, when he was then with the City’s prior service provider, Van Scoyoc Associates. In 2018, the existing services agreement with Van Scoyoc Associates was voluntarily transferred to Thorn Run Partners with Council’s approval when Burns joined Thorn Run Partners. The City’s current agreement with Thorn Run Partners expires December 31, 2026, and has been approved by Council each year since 2021 after the last RFP was issued.
A RFP was recently issued for federal legislative advocacy services, to which six (6) firms responded. The proposals were reviewed and interviews conducted by a review committee, which recommends Thorn Run Partners to continue to serve as the City’s federal legislative lobbyist and authorize the City Manager to execute an annual services agreement with four (4) additional one-year extension options with annual Council approval.
Thorn Run Partners and Burns have been consistently responsive to City issues, up to date on federal legislation as it moves through various committees in Congress, has scheduled meetings with appropriate legislative representatives and agency staff, and represented the City’s interests in Washington D.C. well. Issues that Burns has lobbied on behalf of the City include Federal funding, water resources, public safety, transportation, and economic development.
Fiscal impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
The annual services agreement amount remains the same as the current year and is contained in the current budget.
Prior Council Action:
December 15, 2025 (25-0529)
December 16, 2024 (24-0528)
December 4, 2023 (23-0449)
December 19, 2022 (22-0419)
December 6, 2021 (21-0594)
Alternatives:
Per Council direction.
Recommended Motion (and alternative motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute an annual services agreement with Thorn Run Partners for federal legislative advocacy services effective January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027, with a monthly fee of $7,000, plus any pre-approved travel related expenses not to exceed $3,000 annually, with up to four (4) additional one-year extension options.
Environmental Assessment Status:
N/A
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review: N/A
Attachments: Draft Service Agreement
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Select all that apply.
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■  Economic Vitality |
■  Organizational Excellence |
■  Fiscal Strength |
■  Infrastructure & Growth |
■  Quality of Life |