DISCUSS legislative consultant contract status and DIRECT staff as to next steps.

TAMC's contract with Khouri Consulting for legislative analyst/advocate services is currently $36,000 per year ($3,000 per month) and expires on October 31, 2019. Mr. Khouri has requested a significant increase in pay, to $5,000 per month, adjusted annually for cost of living, and will provide his perspective at the committee meeting. 

TAMC has budgeted $40,000 per year for state legislative activities, and $75,000 per year for federal legislative activities, for a total of $115,000 for consultant legislative activities.  Staff set aside the federal legislative amount in the event that federal earmarks were to return, which at present seems unlikely.  While funding is available, approving Mr. Khouri's request of $60,000 per year would require a budget amendment. Going out to bid for a  new consultant may not result in a $40,000 per year contract.  Alternatively, staff could reduce the time spent on the Agency's legislative program and oversee a minimal legislative program in-house.

TAMC hired Khouri Consulting for legislative analyst/advocate services in July 2017 for $30,000 per year ($2,500 per month) for two years after a request for proposals. At the time, Mr. Khouri noted in his proposal that the amount TAMC offered was less than he would expect for the scope of work, and that he hoped he would prove his value for an increase in pay in the future. TAMC amended the contract in June 2018 to increase the compensation to $36,000 per year ($3,000 per month) in recognition of sustained superior performance and hours worked, and in June 2019 TAMC extended the contract to October 2019 to close out the legislative session.

Mr. Khouri has requested a significant increase in pay, to $5,000 per month, adjusted annually for cost of living. Attached is a letter from Mr. Khouri requesting an increase in compensation based on his accomplishments on behalf of TAMC, including his work on Senate Bill 1 increasing funding for transportation.

Mr. Khouri's recent accomplishments include advocating on behalf of Senate Bill 628 (Caballero): Prunedale Bypass, which has been approved by the full Senate and, recently, the Assembly Transportation Committee (all unanimous votes), and now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. In addition, Mr. Khouri has advocated in TAMC's interest on other relevant legislation, he submits succinct and tailored bills lists and reports, and he has successfully arranged meetings with legislators and California Transportation Commissioners to support TAMC's funding applications. Staff is impressed with Mr. Khouri's work ethic and can attest to his going above and beyond the efforts of the Agency's previous legislative analysts.

The current contract is set to expire on October 31, 2019. Staff recommends the Executive Committee consider this request and provide direction to staff as to next steps. In addition, staff recommends that the term of future legislative contracts extend from October-September to follow the state legislative session, in contrast to current practice of having the contract term follow the calendar year.