On June 18, 2015, a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CHAIRMAN TO SIGN A RENEWAL FOR MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT FOR THE URBAN COUNTY COALITION AND AUTHORIZING PAYMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP was presented. I cast the only nay vote
I do not support the use of tax dollars to pay for a public lobbyist.
From May 18, 2015: In 2012, the County joined the Urban County Coalition (UCC). This legislation session has brought to light that I am not always in agreement with the position taken by the UCC. The Board does not “vote” on the position the UCC is to take. The UCC suggests the position through their role as a consultant, and two Board appointees and our County Administrator meet with the five county consortium and the lobbyist.
This has put me in a situation where I need a mechanism for my constituents to be informed of my position. The Board is made aware of the legislation the UCC intends to declare. If I do not agree with that position, I send an email to my fellow Board members and our County Administrator for a permanent record. Moving forward, I will also post information here, at my blog.
Additional information about associations and firms that may lobby on behalf of Scott County http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/administration/lobbying.php
- Urban County Coalition
- Formed by voluntary agreement to jointly develop, communicate and advocate for issues of mutual interest to the General Assembly, Executive Branch of the State of Iowa and other appropriate agencies, departments and organizations and to collaborate on strategic planning to jointly develop regional solutions to issues of mutual interest.
- Members include Black Hawk County, Johnson County, Linn County, and Scott County, Iowa.
- Contract with L&L Murphy Associates and Grant Consulting, LL to perform consulting and advisory services.
- Memorandum of Agreement by Board of Supervisors presented 1/3/12 and approved 1/5/12.
- $10,000 in Fiscal Year 2012 for first year membership. Each County agrees to budget $20,000 in Fiscal Year 2013 for continued membership in the Urban County Coalition.
