Aurora renews lobbyist for 5% less

Since Aurora hired lobbying firm Dan Shomon, Inc., in 2006, city officials say the municipality has received $47 million in state and federal grants for transportation and utility projects.

While some grants may have come with or without Shomon and his staff, Aurora’s Chief Management Officer Carie Anne Ergo said the firm was instrumental in helping the city score $8 million last fall from Gov. Pat Quinn for RiverEdge Park construction.

Aldermen decided this week to renew the lobbying firm’s contract for one year at $79,800. The agreement pays the company about 5 percent less than last year’s $84,000 contract.

Shomon directed questions about the contract renewal back to Ergo.

“This year, given the difficult budget situation, we’ve been asking all our professional service contracts to go back and give the best pricing or a reduction in scope,” Ergo said. “Given the impact of state legislation on the municipality, we determined that a reduction in scope was not appropriate.”

The city also sought concessions from employees to balance the 2011 budget.

In October, the city asked employees to take 10 percent reductions in compensation through decreases in pay or benefits. Nonunion employee pay cuts were set without negotiation and the city has reached concession agreements with three bargaining units.

While the city will be paying less for the same lobbying services, Alderman Stephanie Kifowit, who voted against the contract along with Alderman Rick Lawrence, said the price remains too high.

“We’re asking our employees to take 10 percent pay cuts and this contract was only a 5 percent reduction,” Kifowit said. “I think we could have renewed the contract and negotiated a little better price.”

The lobbying firm assists the city by keeping staff and aldermen informed about possible legislation that would affect the city, organizing a lobby day and monitoring grant opportunities, Ergo said.

“A city the size of Aurora needs a lobbyist in Springfield,” said Alderman Rick Mervine, who voted for the contract renewal. “I’ve worked with Dan Shomon and his team in the past and they’re very effective. And quite honestly, I’m happy to see that they’ve agreed to take a 5 percent reduction this year.”