St. Cloud approves $35,000 contribution to regional lobbying interlocal agreement with Osceola partners
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Summary
On Oct. 23 the St. Cloud City Council approved Resolution 2025‑155R, joining an interlocal agreement with Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, the Osceola County School Board and the Osceola Legislative Effort to fund shared lobbying services; the council approved a $35,000 annual contribution from St. Cloud (motion carried 5‑0).
The St. Cloud City Council on Oct. 23 approved Resolution 2025‑155R, authorizing the city to enter an interlocal agreement with Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, the Osceola County School Board and the Osceola Legislative Effort (OLE) for shared lobbying services. The council voted 5‑0 to contribute $35,000 annually as the city's share under the agreement.
The clerk read the resolution as "Resolution number 2025‑155R," describing the interlocal agreement to "promote, represent, and protect these interests which collectively affect the impact of interest of the parties" and authorizing the mayor to execute the agreement. The city manager told the council the agreement term is two years and that it contains a budget appropriation clause requiring an annual appropriation by the council.
John Newstreet, volunteer executive director of the Osceola Legislative Effort, told the council OLE has "delivered hundreds of millions of dollars to this community in support of the asks of our local ... local governments." Newstreet said OLE's work complements the state delegation's efforts in Tallahassee and that the organization hires supplemental lobbyists to support local priorities.
Council discussion focused on contributions and coordination. The city manager summarized the agreement's budget breakdown as presented: $80,000 from the county, $60,000 from the school district, $40,000 from the City of Kissimmee and $30,000 from the City of St. Cloud in the draft agreement. Several council members said Kissimmee recently reduced its proposed share and urged St. Cloud to match at $35,000; Deputy Mayor Gilbert made a motion to approve the agreement at $35,000, seconded by Council member Urban. The clerk called the roll: Council member Urban, Deputy Mayor Gilbert, Council member Fletcher, Council member Paul and Mayor Robertson all voted "aye." The motion carried 5‑0.
Officials said the agreement is administered by the local chamber, which receives an administrative fee to compensate staff time (the council mentioned Cindy Lewis as volunteer secretary who assists with processing). Newstreet told the council that, after covering fixed organizational costs such as lobbyist contracts and insurance, any remaining funds are returned pro rata to partner entities rather than carried as reserve.
What the council approved: a two‑year interlocal agreement to fund shared lobbying services and authorization for the mayor to execute the agreement, with St. Cloud's contribution set at $35,000 and an annual appropriation requirement.
Vote details: Motion to approve the agreement at $35,000 (mover: Deputy Mayor Gilbert; second: Council member Urban). Vote: aye—Council member Urban; aye—Deputy Mayor Gilbert; aye—Council member Fletcher; aye—Council member Paul; aye—Mayor Robertson. Outcome: approved, 5‑0.