Title
a. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to execute an Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP for the provision of federal legislative advocacy services for a term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $143,750; and,
b. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to approve up to three (3) additional one (1) year extensions of the Agreement under the same scope of work and payment provisions for a total in aggregate not to exceed $575,000 subject to County Administrative Officer and County Counsel approval.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to execute an Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP for the provision of federal legislative advocacy services for a term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $143,750; and
b. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to approve up to three (3) additional one (1) year extensions of the Agreement under the same scope of work and payment provisions for a total in aggregate not to exceed $575,000 subject to County Administrative Officer and County Counsel approval.
SUMMARY:
At the May 12, 2025, Legislative Committee meeting, the Committee recommended that the Board execute an Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP for the provision of federal legislative advocacy services. Ballard Spahr LLP has represented the County of Monterey in Washington D.C. since January 2019. The recommendation included a 15% increase to the current Agreement amount, and the ability to extend the Agreement for up to three (3) additional one (1) year periods under the same scope of work and payment provisions subject to budget approval.
DISCUSSION:
Monterey County maintains a long-standing and successful Legislative Program, ensuring that County interests are well represented in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. On an annual basis, the Board of Supervisors adopts a Legislative Platform, approves federal legislative and funding priorities, authorizes the submission of Community Project Funding (CPF) requests, and hosts an annual Legislative Workshop which includes presentations on the County’s federal priorities.
The Legislative Program operates under the ongoing guidance of the Board’s Legislative Committee. Currently Supervisor Church serves as Chair, and Supervisor Alejo serves as Vice Chair of the Legislative Committee. The Legislative Program Manager in the County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division manages the Legislative Program and the Agreement with Ballard Spahr LLP for federal legislative advocacy services.
The County’s federal legislative advocacy efforts have significantly increased over the past several years. The increase is related to 1) increasing involvement in disaster response and recovery activities; 2) the reinstatement of Community Project Funding (CPF) funding opportunities; 3) a very engaged Board of Supervisors; and 4) the challenges of the new Administration.
With the number of issues that the County is currently facing, it is increasingly important that the team tasked to carry out the County’s federal legislative advocacy efforts be knowledgeable and capable of representing the County’s needs and have trusted relationships with the County’s federal elected officials and their staffs.
Ballard Spahr LLP has served as the County’s federal legislative advocacy firm since January 2019. Maria Tripplaar joined the firm as an attorney in March 2023 and has served as the County’s principal legislative advocate from that time to present. Additionally, Katlyn E. Koegel joined the firm as an associate in December 2024, and is part of the dedicated team serving the County.
Recognizing the importance of this continuity, excellent service to the County, and increased workload, the Legislative Committee recommended a 15% increase to the payment provisions of the new Agreement along with a revised scope of work to reflect services provided under the Agreement.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
The County Administrative Office - Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division staffs and coordinates the activities of the Board of Supervisors Legislative Committee and executes the Board’s Legislative Program. The Legislative Committee met on May 12, 2025, and made the recommendations contained in this report for adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
FINANCING
The department will try to manage within the appropriations included in the Recommended 2025-26 Budget; if not manageable, the department will return to the Board of Supervisors to request an increase in appropriations and funding if needed This Agreement for the provision of federal legislative advocacy services provided by Ballard Spahr LLP will be billed at $11,979 per month, or a total not to exceed $143,750 for FY25-26. Future year amounts will be included in respective budgets. Extension of the Agreement for three (3) additional one (1) year periods (FY26-27, FY27-28, and FY28-29) under the same terms and payment provisions will be subject to budget approval and an aggregate amount not to exceed $575,000.
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Program Manager, x3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, x5145
Attachments:
- Standard Agreement
- Exhibit A Scope of Work
- Links to Biographies for Maria Tripplaar and Katlyn E. Koegal