Deschutes County commissioners could change from their current lobbying firm by the end of this year.

The county has used the Salem-based Public Affairs Counsel to monitor and review legislation in the state Capitol for more than a decade.

On Wednesday, county commissioners agreed to put out a request for proposals to other lobbying firms.

“We haven’t gone out on this contract for 15 years,” Commissioner Tammy Baney said. “For me, that’s the basis.”

The board could choose to stick with Public Affairs Counsel. Baney said the firm’s services have “worked more often than not” for the county.

The request for proposals asks for a potentially new firm to lobby on behalf of the county in the Legislature on topics ranging from economic development and law enforcement to natural resource management and land use regulations.

Contract payments are made monthly to Public Affairs Counsel. The county paid the firm nearly $43,000 for its services last year.

Commissioners discussed other options for monitoring legislation that might affect the county. For example, the Association of Oregon Counties provides lobbying services.

Commissioner Tony DeBone said he liked having the support of someone at the Capitol and that it was valuable to have the help.

“I think that there’s a lot of work that we don’t see,” said County Administrator Tom Anderson about Public Affairs Counsel, “particularly in tracking every bill and assigning it to a department to review.”

The county could attempt lobbying without a firm, but it probably would require hiring another full-time employee with benefits and retirement costs.

“I think we’ve come to the conclusion that that’s not the best path forward,” Baney said.

The request for proposals will be sent out this month, then reviewed in November. If a new firm is chosen, the county hopes to have a contract signed and in place by January. The 2016 legislative session begins in February.

— Reporter: 541-617-7820,

tshorack@bendbulletin.com