BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City of Ocala is seeking a highly qualified lobbyist who has successfully provided lobbyist services in the state of Florida for local governmental jurisdictions. These services shall include, but not be limited to the following: scheduled, extended, special legislative sessions and meetings; state administrative and agency hearings, meetings, or rule making proceedings; and legal and legislative consulting services. The lobbyist will assist the City Council and key City of Ocala staff in identifying current legislative issues impacting the City of Ocala, specifically, and Florida cities, in general.
The lobbyist will be required to advance the City’s vision, strategic goals and priorities to the Marion County legislative delegation, other members of the General Assembly, as appropriate, and State of Florida, executive, legislative and administrative staff on an as needed basis. The lobbyist will recommend, and implement the most effective ways to gain access to legislative and State of Florida officials, and help craft and deliver both verbal and written messages. The lobbyist will work closely with the City Council or its liaison to recommend modifications and/or strategies to impact legislative measures, and assist in effectuating these impacts in a timely manner when legislative changes can be realistically achieved.
The City of Ocala is governed by a five (5) member City Council. The Mayor is elected at large for a two (2) year term. The City functions as a Council/Manager form of government with the administrative responsibilities vested with the City Manager. The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and the City Clerk.
The City of Ocala, the largest municipality located in Marion County in North Central Florida, has a staff of approximately 1100 full-time and part-time employees serving a population of 66,000 permanent residents. The City’s daytime population is approximately 120,000. The City encompasses approximately 47 square miles. The successful applicant’s fee will be contingent upon experience, skills, and successes in similar endeavors.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROPOSAL
(a) The lobbyist will develop and implement a unique and tailored strategy, in consultation with the City of Ocala City Council and staff that increases the consciousness and awareness of the City of Ocala among the State of Florida legislature, executive, including the Governor, and administrative agencies, regional and local government entities and others as deemed necessary or desirable. These services may include acquiring sponsors and supporters for City legislative, financial, or administrative initiatives in the following areas:
(1) Protection of City Revenue Sources
(2) Home Rule Legislation and Issues
(3) Property Tax Legislation and Issues
(4) Economic Development and Enterprise Zones Legislation, Issues and Funding
(5) Community Redevelopment Legislation and Issues, including CRAs
(6) Transportation Legislation, Issues and Funding
(7) Water and Wastewater Issues and Funding
(8) Stormwater Management Issues and Funding
(9) Telecommunications, Fiber and E-Commerce Issues and Funding
(10) Protection of Municipal Utilities from Regulation of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Legislation and Issues
(11) Parks and Recreation Legislation, Issues and Funding
(12) Environmental Legislation, Issues and Funding
(13) Public Safety and Law Enforcement Legislation, Issues and Funding
(14) Public Official Financial Compensation and Pension Legislation and Issues
(15) Growth Management and Land Use Legislation and Issues
(16) Uniform Building Code/Construction and Permitting Legislation and Issues
(17) Disaster Relief Legislation, Issues and Funding
(18) Special Acts Related to the City of Ocala
(19) Other miscellaneous legislative initiatives
(20) Opportunity Zones Issues and Funding
Please see attached Request for Proposals ("RFP"), and exhibits for more information.