Fort Smith lobbying contract may need review if Watts runs for OK governor (Updated)

Fort Smith city officials are happy to date with the lobbying work by Washington D.C.-based J.C. Watts Companies, but the arrangement may be revisited if J.C. Watts decides to run for the Oklahoma Governor’s office in 2010.

The City of Fort Smith first contracted with Watts in October 2007 to improve the city’s lobbying effort in Washington. Watts has been paid $157,200 by the city ($8,500 a month) between October 2007 and April 2009, according to information provided by Assistant City Administrator Ray Gosack.

J.C. Watts, a football star at Oklahoma University, was elected to Congress — representing the 4th Congressional District in Oklahoma — in 1994 where he served four terms but left Congress and started his lobbying firm in 2003. Watts recently said he may run for the Oklahoma Governor’s seat in the 2010 election cycle.

“The agreement doesn’t appear to address the possibility of J.C. Watts resuming public office,” Gosack noted in an e-mail interview with The City Wire. “If this were to happen, the board of directors may want to review the continued use of J.C. Watts Companies. … It’s certainly something that we will need to explore if Watts decides to run for a public office.”

Gosack said most of the contact with the Watts firm is through Doug Thomas and Steve Pruitt. Gosack said the weekly contact with Thomas and Pruitt has been “immensely helpful” in identifying and pursuing potential sources of federal funding, and scheduling visits with key people in various federal agencies when city staffers and directors travel to Washington.

Updated info: Most recently, Gosack said the lobbyists helped obtain more than $1.2 million from the federal government for May Branch flood control ($109,000), streetscape improvements along Garrison Avenue ($900,000) and extension of the downtown trolley ($237,000).

The upcoming Congressional action on a new highway bill makes it vital that the city have a direct link to people who understand the process, Gosack said.

“This bill will provide federal funds for major roadway projects over the next 5 years. Our 3 requests are: I-49 between I-40 and U.S. Highway 71 South; Arkansas Highway 45 between Zero St. and U.S. Highway 71 South; and Jenny Lind Rd. between Dallas and Phoenix,” Gosack noted in the e-mail. “Having a regular presence in Washington is critical for a successful legislative effort. Watts helps us with that by advancing our locally-determined priorities.”