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CALIFORNIA CITY - The City Council agreed to recommend the Kern Council
of Governments use a membership dues-based system to raise money to fund
lobbying activities in support of the county at both the state and federal
levels.
Kern COG polled its membership on the means of raising lobbying funds,
offering three slightly varying methods.
The organization estimates the cost for professional lobbying services at both state and federal levels to be $111,000 annually.
Three funding mechanisms are available to support this activity: membership dues, the Kern Motorist Aid Authority (also known as "call box" funds) and the Transportation Development Act, according to the staff report.
Kern COG polled members on which of three different combinations of these sources would be preferable.
Between the three options, Cal City would be charged $650.57, $521.61 or $781.44.
The City Council recommended the option that relied more heavily on membership dues, which would cost the city $781.44.
The organization currently does not charge any membership dues, City Manager Linda Lunsford said. This would be a one-time project, not an ongoing expense.
It is especially important now to have professional lobbying, she said, to ensure that money from the expected federal stimulus package is available to the county and its constituent entities.
The figures cited by Kern COG assume each member city will participate. Should one or more entities decline to participate, the costs would rise for those remaining.
Councilman Mike Edmiston stressed the need for professional lobbyists to fight for the county, people who have the proper sources in place.
No matter which option was ultimately used, the city would not be paying a significant amount for the service, said Mayor Larry Adams.
Councilman Nick Lessenevitch concurred, noting that the bulk of the
funding would come from Kern County and the city of Bakersfield. Cal City's
portion is less than 2% of the total cost, he said.