NCFPD contracts with Howells Government Relations for federal advocacy services

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The North County Fire Protection District will be contracting with Howells Government Relations to provide federal advocacy support services.

The contract was approved on a 5-0 NCFPD board vote Tuesday, Sept. 26. Howells Government Relations will be paid a $7,500 monthly retainer along with reasonable expenses to represent the fire district.

“That was a big deal,” NCFPD fire Chief Keith McReynolds said.

In August 2022, the NCFPD board approved a contract with Hoch Consulting for services to identify potential grant opportunities.

“Our hope is that we will be able to use Howells Government Relations to assist with advocacy,” McReynolds said.

The Fallbrook Public Utility District has been contracting with Howells Government Relations since June 2022 and has received federal funding as a result of that partnership. The NCFPD agreement calls for Howells Government Relations to monitor and track federal activity and funding opportunities relevant to planned NCFPD projects, develop and execute a strategy to meet the fire district’s federal funding, government relations and public outreach objectives and provide strategic counsel along with government and public relations assistance to the district.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].