Ocoee commission insists on lobbyist-law firm merger

After hearing presentations from four lobbyist firms back in April, Ocoee commissioners decided to award a contract for federal lobbying services to Global Development Business Consulting Inc. The contract can be renewed for three years for an annual sum of $30,000.

However, the approval came under the condition that Global will merge with the law firm Akerman, LLP. That particular condition was front and center at Ocoee’s June 21 commission meeting as, to date, Global Development has not yet merged with Akerman. 

Because of this, commissioners passed a motion June 21 which gave Global Development an ultimatum: If it does not merge with Akerman law firm by November, the commission will rescind the contract and award it to Alcade & Fay, LTD Inc., instead. 

Ocoee council members are insistent on the Global-Akerman merger because currently, local state Rep. Randolph Bracy, who is Global Development’s principal, is not a registered federal lobbyist — but Akerman is.

During the council meeting, commissioner Rosemary Wilsen expressed concern over hiring a lobbyist not registered to work in Washington, D.C.

The council needs federal lobbyist services for an ongoing issue with Rose Hill's ZIP code. 

“Six or seven years ago we annexed in Rose Hill phase two and three and you would assume the ZIP code would change to 34761, but it did not,” Wilsen said. “The post office has not agreed to change it from 32818. So, that is something we do need to work on.”

The Rose Hill area is divided into three phases. Phase one did not vote to come into Ocoee and wants to stay unincorporated. Phase two and three voted to be annexed, however, although they have been paying taxes to the city of Ocoee, they have not been receiving the benefits from having an Ocoee address and ZIP code. 

“Rosehill is … what I’m focusing on. I’m very concerned because they have an issue that has created higher insurance rates being that they’re in a different ZIP code,” Wilsen said. “ZIP code 32818 is Pine Hills and that gives them an Orlando address. … So they ended up maintaining an Orlando address but paying Ocoee taxes.” 

Wilsen said despite their lack of success thus far, she hopes to have the issue resolved soon.    

“The folks in Rose Hill want an Ocoee address,” Wilsen said. “They want an Ocoee ZIP code. And we’ve been trying. We have not been very successful but we want to continue trying.

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Contact Gabby Baquero at [email protected].