Title
a. Approve and authorize the County Administrative Officer or designee to execute an Agreement with Nossaman LLP for the provision of state legislative advocacy services for a term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $165,600; 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 $662,400 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 Nossaman LLP for the provision of state legislative advocacy services for a term effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $165,600; 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 $662,400 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 Nossaman LLP for the provision of state legislative advocacy services. Nossaman LLP has represented the County of Monterey in Sacramento since August 2017. 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 state legislative and funding priorities, authorizes State Budget requests, and hosts an annual Legislative Workshop which includes presentations on the County’s state 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 Nossaman LLP for state legislative advocacy services.
The County’s state 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) a very engaged Board of Supervisors; and 3) the challenges of the new Federal 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 state legislative advocacy efforts be knowledgeable and capable of representing the County’s needs and have trusted relationships with the County’s state elected officials and their staffs.
Nossaman LLP has served as the County’s state legislative advocacy firm since August 2017. Since that time, Ashley Walker, Senior Policy Advisor, served as part of the team representing the County and in January 2020 became the County’s principal legislative advocate. Kasha Hunt, Policy Advisor, joined the firm 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 state legislative advocacy services provided by Nossaman LLP will be billed at $13,800 per month, or a total not to exceed $165,600 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 $662,400.
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 Ashley Walker and Kasha Hunt