City may get lobbyist

The City of Portales is just a few steps closer to having a lobbyist represent them and the needs of its people.

After much discussion, the Portales City Council agreed that hiring a lobbyist for the city will help the voices of their constituents be heard in Santa Fe during legislative sessions as well as staying abreast of statewide issues that affect the area.

But the details about what the duties of that position would entail have been hazy for councilors, causing them to come to disagreements.

Councilors voted Tuesday to approve the city attorney's review of contract for Mike Miller, Roosevelt County's lobbyist, in a 5-1 vote at their bi-monthly meeting.

Portales City Manager Tom Howell said there are 155 registered lobbyists for the state of New Mexico, most are employees for the companies they are representing.

There were three candidates for the lobbyist position for Portales, but ultimately Howell recommended Miller's contract as the best offer at a cost of $25,000 to work year-round.

Howell added that Miller's bid for lobbyist meets the city's budgeted amount for that position.

Councilor Ronald Jackson said he thought they discussed the lobbyist position to be used as necessary, not a contracted position.

"I was looking for more of an as-used contract, not an annual per say," Jackson said.

Councilor Dianne Parker also had concern that when hiring a lobbyist, she wants to make sure the council stays in control.

"I want to make sure that we remain the driver in this and tell them what we want them to do rather than them telling us what they do," Parker said.

Councilor Oscar Robinson said it's hard for a lobbyist to turn their skills off and prefers that the position is a year-round one.

"Their job is to keep us up-to-date on what's going on in the state," Robinson said. "An as-needed basis is year-round."

Councilors voted 5-1 to have the city's attorney Randy Knudson review the contract before moving forward to approve Miller to serve as the city's lobbyist before the upcoming legislative session. Jackson was the only one who opposed the motion.