HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 Approval of Contract with Central Florida Strategies for Legislative Affairs and Economic Development Consulting Services
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: December 2, 2025
Item #: 2
Contact Name: Michael Rumer Department Director:
Contact Number: Ext. 6434 City Manager: Craig Shadrix
Subject: Approval of Contract with Central Florida Strategies for Legislative Affairs and
Economic Development Consulting Services (Assistant City Manager Rumer).
Background Summary: In 2021, the City Commission approved a five-year contract with Central Florida
Strategies for consulting services to support Legislative Affairs and Economic Development. Staff will be
working closely with Central Florida Strategies on issues such as: i) Property Tax Reform, ii) Changes to
Chapter 180 FL Statutes dealing with Live Local, iii) state and local transportation and infrastructure initiatives,
and iv) Tourist Development Tax. As with the previous client consulting agreement, staff concludes that this
arrangement provides significant value to the City based on several factors:
• Hiring an employee to perform this work would cost roughly three times more with benefits and travel
demands.
• It would be challenging to find an employee with the necessary industry and legislative relationships
required for this role.
• It would also be difficult to find an employee with extensive knowledge of government operations in the
metro Orlando area and statewide, combined with a strong understanding of private-sector land
development financing.
These factors collectively support continuing the City’s successful partnership with Central Florida Strategies.
Their expertise, regional insight, and established relationships have consistently delivered value that would be
difficult and costly to replicate internally.
Accordingly, City staff recommends that the City Commission waive the purchasing code requirements and
authorize the City Manager to execute the attached scope of services with Central Florida Strategies for a
one-year term at an annual cost of $60,000, with the option for up to four additional one-year renewals.
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners waive the purchasing code and authorize the City
Manager to retain Central Florida Strategies for economic development and legislative affairs for one year at
$60,000 annually, with up to four (4) additional one-year renewals?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends that the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners waive the purchasing code and
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
authorize the City Manager to hire Central Florida Strategies for economic development and legislative affairs
for one year at $60,000 annually, with up to four (4) additional one-year renewals.
Attachments:
1. CFL Strategies Ocoee 2026
Financial Impacts:
The funding for this contract is included in the approved 2025/2026 budget under GL account 001-512-00-
3400.
Type of Item: Consent
CLIENT CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into as of January 2, 2026 by and between the
City of Ocoee ("Client"), a municipal corporation existing under the laws of the State of Florida, with its
principal place of business at 1 North Bluford Ave, Ocoee, FL 34761 and Central Florida Strategies, Inc.
(Consultant"), a Florida corporation, with its principal place of business at 121 S. Orange Avenue, Suite
1500, Orlando, FL 32801.
In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants set forth below (the mutuality, adequacy and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I - AGREEMENT AND DUTIES
Consulting: During the term of this Agreement, on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth. Client
retains Consulting to provide certain defined services, and Consultant agrees to provide such services.
Scope: On January 5, 2021, the Ocoee City Commission approved item# 2, authorizing the City Manager
to hire Consultant to provide services in the areas of economic development and legislative affairs with
four one (1) year renewals.
Consultant' services ("Services") shall be rendered in accordance with professional standards and shall
be those assigned by the City Manager, which shall include the following:
Government Relations, Strategic Planning, and Economic Development
1. Intergovernmental and Civic Engagement This section deals with interactions between government
entities and civic organizations.
● Advocacy and Promotion: Actively promoting the City's interests and projects to various levels of
government, including Orange County Government, the State of Florida, and regional entities
like the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Metroplan Orlando, and the Central
Florida Expressway Authority.
● Networking and Expertise: Participating in conferences and organizations to stay current and
exert influence on key topics like Transportation, Economic Development, Real Estate
Development, Infrastructure, and the application of Technology and Artificial Intelligence for
Local Governments.
● Legislative Monitoring: Tracking and advocating for local and state legislation that impacts the
City.
2. Economic Development and Advocacy This involves activities explicitly aimed at enhancing the City's
financial and development standing.
● Project Advocacy: Championing City projects at the local and state levels to secure support and
resources.
● Resource Advancement: Utilizing resources to secure funding for projects and to attract new
development projects that align with the City's strategic interests.
3. Strategic Planning and Area Focus This involves the long-term, targeted effort to develop and improve
specific geographic or functional areas within the City.
● Targeted Funding: Focusing on securing Transportation and Special Project Funding.
● Redevelopment Initiatives: Concentrating efforts on revitalizing specific areas, particularly
Community Redevelopment Areas (CRA), Downtown Redevelopment, and Industrial Corridor
Redevelopment.
4. Internal Reporting and Communication This details the necessary internal coordination and
accountability measures.
● Regular Updates: Maintaining regular meetings and calls to provide timely updates and
recommendations to the City Manager and/or the Assistant City Manager.
● Formal Accountability: Providing a Monthly written report to the City Manager for formal
tracking and record-keeping.
ARTICLE II- COMPENSATION AND PAYMENT TERMS
A monthly fee of $5,000.00 shall be paid in monthly installments on the first day of month.
Unless prior approval of the City Manager is obtained, the Scope of Work and responsibilities of
Consultant does not include the following items:
● Travel Expenses
● Admission or sponsorship fees for conferences, events, and organizations.
● Professional, brokerage, and marketing services necessary for negotiation or implementation of
actions recommended by the Consultant.
Any expenses to be incurred by the Consultant shall first be approved in writing by the City Manager and
shall be reimbursed to Consultant following submittal of an expense reimbursement form acceptable to
the City and in accordance with the Florida Prompt Payment Act.
ARTICLE III- TERM AND TERMINATION
Term: The term of this Agreement is approximately through 60 months, beginning on January 5, 2026.
Renewals: This Agreement may be renewed under the same terms for up to four (4) additional
automatic twelve (12) month renewals beginning on January 5, 2027.
Termination: Termination of this Agreement may be with or without cause and may be done by either
party with a 60-day written Notice of Termination.
ARTICLE IV· PUBLIC RECORDS
Public Records. Each party acknowledges that the City is bound by Florida's public records law. Consultant
agrees to comply with public records law in accordance with Chapter 119. F.S and more specifically as
follows:
1. Keep and maintain public records required by the City to perform the service described in this
Agreement.
2. Upon request from the City's custodian of public records, provide the City with a copy of the requested
records or allow the records to be inspected or copied within a reasonable time at a cost that does not
exceed the cost provided in Chapter 119, F.S, or as otherwise provided by law.
3. Ensure that public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records disclosure
requirements are not disclosed expect as authorized by law for the duration of the contract term and
following completion of the contract if the Consultant does not transfer the records to the public agency.
4. Upon completion of the contract, transfer at no cost, to the City all public records in possession of the
Consultant or keep and maintain public records required by the City to perform the service. If the
Consultant transfers all public records to the City upon completion of the contract, the Consultant shall
destroy any duplicate public records that are exempt or confidential and exempt from public records
disclosure requirements. If the Consultant keeps and maintains public records upon completion of the
contract. The Consultant shall meet all applicable requirements for retaining public records. All records
stored electronically must be provided to the City, upon request from the City's custodian of public
records, in a format that is compatible with the information technology systems of the City.
IF THE CONSULTANT/CONTRACTOR HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF CHAPTER 119,
FLORIDA STATUTES, TO THE CONSULTANTS'$ DUTY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC RECORDS RELATING TO THIS
CONTRACT, CONTACT THE CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS, CITY CLERN MELANIE SIBBITT, AT (407)-905-
3100, extension 1026, msibbitt@ocoee.org, mailing address: 150 N. Lakeshore Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761.
ARTICLE V• MISCELLANEOUS
Status: The Consultant shall be deemed an independent contractor for purposes of this Agreement and
in connection therewith. Neither party shall have the authority to bind the other nor shall represent to
third parties that it does have such authority.
Compliance with Law: Both parties shall comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulation, rules,
ordinances and orders of any kind, which are applicable to performance hereunder.
Conflicts: During the term of this Agreement, Consultant may continue to represent other organizations
including private companies, other municipalities and government agencies. Should any matter come
before the City Commission, a City Board, or City staff in which Consultant represents another party,
Consultant shall notify the City and shall not participate in negotiations for either party except as
requested to do so by the City.
Severability: The prov1s1ons of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the invalidity or
enforceability of the other provisions shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the other
provisions hereof. If any provision of this Agreement is unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, such
provision shall be appropriately limited and given effect to the extent that it may be enforceable.
Counterparts: This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deeded an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Force Majeure: If the performance of this Agreement or any obligation hereunder, except the making of
payments hereunder, is prevented, restricted or interfered with by reason of fire, flood, earthquake,
explosion, or other casualty or accident; strikes or labor disputes, inability to procure parts, supplies or
power; war or other violence; any law, order, proclamation, regulation, ordinance, demand or
requirement of any government agency; or any other act or condition whatsoever beyond the
reasonable control of the affected party, the party so affected shall, upon giving prompt notice to the
other party, shall be excused from such performance to the extent of such prevention, restriction or
interference; provided, however, that the party so affected shall take all reasonable steps to avoid or
remove such causes of nonperformance and shall remove performance hereunder with dispatch
whenever such causes are removed.
Notices: Any notice or communication from one party to the other shall be in writing and shall be
effective, when personally delivered to the party for who intended or the day following deposit when
sent by overnight courier or three (3) days following deposit of the same into the United States mail
(certified mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested) addressed, to such other party at the
address specified below or such other address as either party may, from time to time, designate in
writing to the other party. All notices and other correspondence directed to Consultant shall be
addressed to:
Central Florida Strategies, Inc.
121 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 1500
Orlando, FL 32801
adlp@cflstrategies.com
All notices and other correspondence directed to Client shall be addressed to:
City of Ocoee Manager
1 North Bluford Ave.
Ocoee, FL 34761
Craig.Shadrix@ocoee.org
Legal Action and Entire Agreement: This Agreement shall be enforced and interpreted in accordance
with the laws of the State of Florida. Any action or proceeding brought by either party against the other
arising out of or related to the Agreement shall be brought only in a state or federal court of competent
jurisdiction located in Orange County, in the State of Florida and the parties hereby consent to the
personal jurisdiction of said courts. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between
Consultant and Client with respect to the subject matter herein and shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.
Neither this Agreement nor any amendment to this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and duly
authorized by an executive officer of Client and Consultant.
Survivability: The provisions of Article IV (relating to Public Records) and Article V (regarding legal
action) shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement, except as expressly stated therein.
IN WITHNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
CLIENT: City of Ocoee
_______________________________
By: Craig Shadrix, City Manager
CONSULTANT: Central Florida Strategies, Inc.
_______________________________
By: Angel de la Portilla, President & CEO