Council hires Bennett Group DC for up to $72,000 annually despite concerns about necessity
The Moab City Council voted 4-1 on July 22, 2025, to approve a contract with Bennett Group DC for federal lobbying services. This marked the city’s first formal entry into Washington, D.C. advocacy despite concerns from one council member about whether the expense for a federal lobbyist was justified.
The contract allows the city to pay up to $6,000 per month, or $72,000 annually, for lobbying services from the Utah-based firm led by Tim Stewart and Ryan Levitt.
The Bennett Group emphasized that Moab’s unique brand recognition as a gateway community gives it advantages in Washington that many other small cities lack.
“You’re very unique among the clients we’ve worked with,” Stewart told the council. “You’re a gateway community. Everybody is familiar with Moab, and that is a great brand to have, which means that [elected officials’] willingness to engage with you extends far beyond what they might with another run-of-the-mill municipality.”
The Case for Federal Representation
Supporters of the contract, including Mayor Joette Langianese and council members Jason Taylor, Colin Topper, and Luke Wojciechowski, argued that federal lobbying has become essential for securing funding for major city projects.
“I think that this is a need,” Mayor Langianese said during the meeting. “We’ve got a huge project at the gateway of our town, the UMTRA site. And from my experience working with the federal government over many years, having a lobbyist on our side in Washington on a consistent, constant basis, we would never ever be able to do what these guys are doing for us.”
The mayor pointed to the city’s Moab Area Transit (MAT) program as an example of future federal funding needs.
“In three years, we need to come up with a million dollars a year to sustain that program,” she explained. “Logan had the same exact issue. And now they have 40 buses and they have good funding from the federal level.”
Council member Jason Taylor was particularly enthusiastic about the partnership, describing how the lobbyists’ expertise opened his eyes to new possibilities. Taylor framed the decision as an investment in better city services.
“It’s getting outside help to help us within our community and it’s taking up the level of service we’re providing to our residents,” he said.
The Lone Dissenter
Council member Kaitlin Myers cast the sole opposing vote, expressing concerns about both the timing and necessity of hiring a federal lobbyist.
“This feels to me like a want at this point,” Myers said. “I think that until we’re ready to have a full scope of how the city plays in the federal sandbox in a really big way, I’m not going to be ready to support just having a federal lobbyist.”
Myers acknowledged the potential value of the service but questioned whether the city is prepared to fully utilize such representation.
“I think that we as a city, as a council, are not in a place yet where we can take full advantage of having a federal lobbyist and be able to make statements on things other than flooding mitigation and UMTRA.”
Proven Track Record
The Bennett Group’s presentation highlighted a recent success in securing federal funding for the Uranium Mill Tailings Remedial Action (UMTRA) cleanup project at the former Atlas Mill site.
“The Energy and Water Appropriations Bill — we shared this with city staff — the UMTRA line item was funded in the House at just a little over $74 million for fiscal year 2026,” Ryan Levitt explained during the meeting. “This is significant, considering most accounts across the federal government were seeing cuts.”
$6k A Month Max
One factor that helped sway council members was the contract’s structure. Rather than a flat monthly fee, the agreement caps spending at $6,000 per month, meaning the city will only pay for services actually rendered.
“If we potentially aren’t in a position to fully take advantage of their services, I don’t think it’s going to cost us the full $72,000,” noted Council member Luke Wojciechowski, who said that was “comforting.”
Looking Ahead: Current Federal Priorities
The Bennett Group is already working on several fronts for Moab, including pursuing federal funding for bridge repairs following recent flooding. The lobbyists reported that Senator John Curtis’s office is championing the bridge project, with funding decisions expected within weeks.
The firm also highlighted their connections within the current federal administration, noting that the second Trump administration includes many former colleagues now in key decision-making positions at agencies like the Department of Transportation, Interior, Energy, and EPA.
With the contract approved, the Bennett Group will continue working on UMTRA funding, bridge project appropriations, and exploring other federal funding opportunities for city infrastructure needs. The lobbyists indicated they would also help the city develop broader federal advocacy strategies beyond the immediate priorities.
The next regular Moab City Council meeting is scheduled for August 28, 2025, as the August 12 meeting has been canceled.
The full meeting video is available on the Moab City YouTube channel.
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