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Mobile Council to Vote on Lobbying Contract Next Tuesday

The city aims to shift from an in-house lobbyist to the Montgomery-based firm, The Bloom Group.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall

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The Mobile City Council will vote next Tuesday on a $156,000 lobbying contract with Montgomery-based firm The Bloom Group. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mobile will vote on a $156,000 annual lobbying contract with The Bloom Group on October 27, 2026. This move follows the city's decision to end its reliance on a single in-house lobbyist position.

Why it matters

City officials are pursuing the contract to gain more lobbying bench strength and advocate for a larger share of Simplified Sellers Use Tax revenues. The city plans to fund this service using salary savings from the recently vacated internal lobbyist role.

The proposed contract covers a 12-month period for $156,000. This agreement is intended to help the city navigate the 8% Simplified Sellers Use Tax, which generated over $850 million between 2024 and 2026.

The players

The Bloom Group

This Montgomery-based lobbying firm represents major entities including Meta Platforms Inc., 3M, and the Alabama Farmers Federation.

Stephen McNair

He is the city's former in-house lobbyist who has recently transitioned to an associate role at The Bloom Group.

The details

The Bloom Group, which has operated in Montgomery since 1987, counts Meta Platforms Inc., 3M, and the Alabama Farmers Federation among its clients. Stephen McNair, who previously served as the city's in-house lobbyist, has joined the firm as an associate.

Timeline

  1. 1987: The Bloom Group was founded.

  2. 2016: The Simplified Sellers Use Tax was established.

  3. 2024-2026: The tax generated more than $850 million in revenue.

  4. October 27, 2026: The City Council is scheduled to vote on the contract.

Political Context

Opponents of professional lobbying firms in city government often argue that in-house staff provide more direct accountability to local taxpayers. Dissenting voices may raise concerns about the cost-effectiveness of moving to a private firm versus maintaining direct internal oversight.

Taxpayers should note that the city expects to cover this new expense by repurposing funds previously allocated to an internal salary. Residents may see changes in how the city represents its interests regarding state-level tax distributions.

The takeaway

Moving to an external lobbying firm allows municipalities to access a broader range of professional contacts and industry expertise. City leaders are banking on this team-based approach to secure better financial outcomes regarding state tax revenue.

What happens next

The City Council vote on the proposed lobbying contract is scheduled to take place on October 27, 2026.

Further reading

For more updates on local government decisions, visit the City Hall section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.

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Is hiring outside firms a more effective use of local tax dollars than in-house employees?