The primary benefit for the city keeping a lobbyist on contract is leveraging relationships that open doors to the halls of power.
That was the message Saleem Baird delivered to the mayor and city council at a Wednesday work session, along with a written report on Worth Thomas Consultants’ activity on the city’s behalf since 2022.
“We’re not just taking people to dinner or just hanging out,” said Baird, who works on the Worth Thomas government affairs team. “This is a lot of work.”
The city’s contract with Jackson-based Worth Thomas came under scrutiny earlier this month when four council members began questioning what the city received in return for the $72,000 annual expense, paid out at $6,000 per month. Ward 6 Councilman Jason Spears even moved to terminate the contract, though the matter was tabled.
Baird outlined a few successes the firm had helped the city land since 2022, from federal flooding mitigation and blight elimination money to helping land state funds toward completing the Sen. Terry Brown Amphitheater and helping push the 2% tourism tax to be extended for 10 years instead of five.
He said the firm is still actively pushing for more money for the amphitheater and flood mitigation, as well as $2 million for a regional crime center and other grant opportunities.
“We’re dealing directly with the governor,” Baird said. “We’re dealing directly with the lieutenant governor and the speaker (of the House), and we’re putting you in front of those people.”
Baird noted the firm had also taken on state and federal lobbying duties for the city at no additional cost and used their relationships on the federal level to get the Columbus contingent an audience with United States Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Conservation Service officials.
“Typically, agencies on the federal level don’t meet with cities and counties,” he said.
Even with contentious state budget years like 2025 and the ongoing federal government shutdown, Baird said the work doesn’t stop. The firm continues talking to state and congressional leaders, even paying its own way to Washington, D.C. in June to push the city’s narrative.
It also helps craft legislation that includes its client’s projects, when necessary.
If the city wants to continue its contract with Worth Thomas, and its funding priorities have changed, Baird said the council needs to approve a resolution to that effect “sooner than later.”
Ward 5 Councilman Gary Jefferson asked what would happen to current projects if the council terminated the contract.
“It would be up to you all to take it on from there,” Baird said.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Lavonne Harris, who joined the work session by phone, noted she and other council members had good relationships particularly with the local delegation in the state legislature and questioned how much assistance Worth Thomas actually provided the city on that front.
Baird said that’s where the “team approach” came in.
“The way Jackson operates is top-down,” Baird said, noting local delegation support works hand-in-hand with the firm’s relationship with the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the House. “Because if (leadership doesn’t) approve it, it ain’t happening, no matter who comes to talk to them.
“… We don’t care about credit,” he added. “We just care about getting things done and getting you in the rooms so you can talk to those individuals.”
‘Time will tell’
Mayor Stephen Jones told The Dispatch after the work session he believes the Worth Thomas firm has worked well with the city, and he thought Wednesday’s presentation showed that.
“If they are looking at the facts, it should have gone well,” Jones said, referring to the council members. “If they are looking not to have a lobbyist, or to change lobbyists, I don’t know if anything will change their minds.”
Spears, though he said he still needs time to review Baird’s entire report, seemed unmoved.
“It highlighted some of the basics they perform operationally for the city,” Spears said of Baird’s presentation, though he maintains the city should not be paying a lobbyist at least until this council has set its funding priorities.
Jefferson, who might prove to be the swing vote on whether the contract continues, said he plans to thoroughly review the firm’s report before making up his mind.
“The main thing that stuck out to me is that if they are doing anything … once you cut it off, whatever work they’ve done, we lose that,” Jefferson told The Dispatch. “… I liked his presentation. I just think it might be a little too late. Time will tell.”
Other business:
After an executive session Wednesday, the council voted to approve selling a parking lot at Sixth Street South and College Street to Columbus First Methodist Church for $21,600, pending the approval of church trustees.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
