To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Assignment and Assumption for Legislative Advocacy and Monitoring Service, Countywide
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director or designee, to execute an Assignment and Assumption of Contract and Consent between Mark Watts Advocacy LLC and Dodd and Chaaban Strategies LLC effective January 1, 2026, for the legislative services contract entered into on January 1, 2022.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the Assignment and Assumption of Contract action. All costs for the contract will continue to be funded through the FY 25-26 and FY 26-27 local road funds. (100% Local Road Funds)
BACKGROUND:
Mark Watts Advocacy is the County’s current legislative advocate in Sacramento for transportation related matters. He has been performing this service since 2005 and has developed strong relationships with state legislators and staff, as well as an in depth knowledge of the internal working of state government. Watts also provides similar services to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (Authority) and helps coordinate our legislative activities with those of the Authority.
In a Press Release on December 18, 2025, former Senator Bill Dodd announced that veteran lobbyist and public policy strategist Mark Watts was joining Dodd and Chaaban Strategies LLC as Senior Advisor. Through this, Dodd and Chaaban Strategies LLC is acquiring all of Mark Watts Advocacy’s clients so Mark Watts can continue to represent and provide services to them with additional resources.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Assignment and Assumption is not approved, Public Works will not have legislative monitoring and advocacy in Sacramento in 2026 and will be left at a great disadvantage in the areas of growth management, infrastructure finance, transportation finance, planning and zoning (including transportation planning), public works contracting, community development, energy restructuring and associated administrative issues related to state legislative, executive and regulatory agencies.