McComb selectmen voted along party lines — Democrats for and Republicans against — to hire a lobbying firm whose leaders include a former Republican governor on Tuesday night.
The city voted 4-2 to hire Octagon Group LLC for $40,000 a year. Democrats Devante Johnson, Shawn Williams, Ronnie Brock and Donovan Hill were in favor. Republicans Ted Tullos and Michael Cameron opposed.
Octogon Group is in a strategic partnership with Bryant Songy Snell, led by former Gov. Phil Bryant and whose partners include Bryant’s daughter Katie Bryant Snell, former Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Marshall Fisher and former state representative and Department of Revenue head Herb Frierson.
The item came to the table during the last meeting in January and was discussed at last week’s work session.
“How did this get presented?” Cameron asked. “How and who did this get presented to two weeks ago, when it ended up in an email at 6:17 on the night that we were to vote for it? The second thing is in the second paragraph it says include the following: find the legislative sponsors to introduce bills, monitor legislation in the House and Senate, attend committee meetings, discuss any pending legislation with legislators, coordinating with other related interest groups on legislation when necessary.”
Cameron noted state Rep. Sam Mims from McComb and state Sen. Kelvin Butler iare both former city administrators, and state Rep. Angela Cockerham is the former board attorney.
“I would say McComb’s in a pretty unique situation that a lot of other cities are not,” Cameron said. “We’ve got two legislators that used to be on staff for the city of McComb and another one is a resident of the city of McComb. We’ve got really, really, I consider, tight access to those legislators.
“We haven’t had a lobbyist ever coordinating with other related interest groups on legislation necessary.”
Cameron noted the city books for 2019 are still being reconciled and Octagon Group, LLC charges $40,000 a year.
“Where is the $40,000 coming from?” he said.
Mayor Quordinah Lockley supported Cameron’s comments.
“I tend to agree with you, Selectman Cameron,” Lockley said. “I don’t think there is a need for a lobbyist. When we needed $250,000 for a fire truck, we didn’t need a lobbyist. When we wanted hotel/motel tax to be renewed, we didn’t need a lobbyist to do that. So I don’t think we need a lobbyist.”
Lockley also mentioned the city’s close relationships with area lawmakers.
“We have good relationships with Angela Cockerham, who is a big wheeler there in Jackson,” Lockley said. “We have Sam Mims there, who has seniority. So, therefore, he’s a big wheeler. We’ve got his ear if we need it. Kelvin Butler, who used to work for the city, we’ve got his ear. We have Daryl Porter. We’ve got his ear. I don’t see a need for a lobbyist.
“Plus, since this board is going out in June, we don’t know who the new board will be in July, I don’t see a need for a lobbyist. I don’t see a need for us to pay $40,000.”
Cameron said he did not have a problem with Octagon Group or its founder and president, Quincy Mukoro.
“Let me add I’ve known Quincy for a long time,” Cameron said. “I respect him. I like him. No hard feelings against Quincy.”
After the meeting, Johnson, who initially proposed hiring Octagon Group,said the city would see if it gets more accomplished with a lobbyist.
“We’re looking for different results, measurable results and we believe we’ll get them,” he said.
