TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: Andrew M. Mize, Legislative & Policy Analyst
SUBJECT: Federal Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy Services Agreement
RECOMMENDATION
title
Approve and authorize Agreement No. 260203B with Paragon Government Relations to provide federal legislative and regulatory advocacy services to the County. (Fiscal Impact: $120,000 Expense; General Fund; Budgeted; Discretionary)
body
BACKGROUND
Federal advocacy is a key piece of Napa County’s legislative program. The County receives significant funding, both formula-based and competitive, from a range of executive branch departments and more recently, through the Congressionally Directed Spending Program. For example, in Fiscal Year 2023, the County received $4,000,000 for the Napa Valley Vine Trail through Congressman Thompson’s office. The federal government is vast and complex, and as a result, many counties retain specialized advocacy or lobbying firms to represent a county’s interest, help counties navigate the federal bureaucracy, and advise the organization on developments in the legislative and regulatory arenas that impact the county’s operations.
The County conducted a competitive RFP process during August, September, and October of 2025 to select a contractor to provide federal legislative and regulatory advocacy services to the County. After comprehensive review of proposals, Paragon Government Relations was selected as the top proposer. Paragon was selected because of their substantial experience representing Northern California counties and because their staff have significant experience in advising these clients on disaster-related programs, health and human services-related programs, and county transportation-related programs, three key county points of intersection with the federal government. After negotiation, Paragon has agreed to the attached terms. If approved, the contract will commence immediately and extend through October 20, 2028, with two optional one-year extensions that may be exercised at the discretion of the County. The annual cost for this contract will be $120,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
|
Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
|
Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
|
Where is it budgeted? |
General Fund |
|
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
|
Discretionary Justification: |
Approval and authorization of the agreement will allow the County to retain a firm to advocate on behalf of the County before relevant Members of Congress, Congressional committees, and federal executive branch officials. |
|
Is the general fund affected? |
Yes |
|
Future fiscal impact: |
$120,000 per year, for three years with two optional one-year extensions, totaling $360,000 without extensions or $600,000 with extensions. |
|
Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, the County will lack representation by an advocacy firm at the federal level; staff rely on contracted advocates to keep the organization apprised of developments affecting the County and advocate on behalf of the County before the federal government. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.