The Fallon City Council has approved a contract for government affairs services that will give the city representation in Carson City and Washington, D.C., as the 2027 Nevada Legislature approaches.
The agreement will bring R&R Partners onto the city’s lobbying team for a $20,000 monthly retainer. Fallon native Ryan McGinness will provide government affairs experience in Washington, D.C., and Pete Ernauth will lead the efforts at the state level.
City officials said McGinness, who grew up in Fallon, brings familiarity with the community as well as relationships at the state and federal levels. Either party can terminate the contract with 30 days’ notice.
Bob Erickson, Chief of Staff, told the council that Fallon has historically maintained outside representation to help navigate state and federal agencies, legislation, and funding opportunities, but has been without that representation for roughly six months.
Mayor Ken Tedford said having someone working on the city’s behalf has paid dividends over the years, particularly when Fallon has faced expensive infrastructure and regulatory issues.
He pointed to the city’s response to federal drinking water standards for arsenic as one example. Fallon ultimately constructed a multimillion-dollar treatment project, with the federal government paying the overwhelming majority of the cost after city officials and their representatives worked with federal agencies and Nevada’s congressional delegation.
Officials said similar help will be important as Fallon pursues funding for upcoming infrastructure projects and deals with issues involving its municipal electric utility.
Councilman Paul Harmon acknowledged the $20,000 monthly cost but said the investment could be small compared with the amount of state and federal funding the city stands to obtain.
“If we can get some of these projects that we’ve identified funded, either federally or state, this price is nothing,” he said, noting several city projects will require outside funding to move forward.
Tedford said one of the lobbying team’s first priorities will be helping Fallon access previously approved congressional earmarks that have become tied up within federal agencies.
He said the city has been awarded millions of dollars in federal earmarks dating back several years, but accessing some of that money has proven difficult because the funds must now move through federal agencies rather than coming directly to local governments.
The council approved the contract unanimously.
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