While that remains to be seen, municipal officials at least will hear a pitch Thursday night from an individual wanting to fill that role, Wayne Ronald Boyles III. He is the president of The Boyles Company Inc., a consulting firm specializing in federal government relations.
Boyles, a former Mount Airy resident whose company is based in Alexandria, Va., near Washington, D.C., has served on the staffs of Sen. Jesse Helms and Sen. Elizabeth Dole.
He proposes to offer lobbying services to Mount Airy that would include assisting with local requests for federal funds and economic-development efforts involving foreign companies, according to information presented to the city in advance of Thursday’s presentation.
It will occur during a 7 p.m. meeting of the board of commissioners at the Municipal Building.
“He requested to appear before us,” Mayor Deborah Cochran said Monday regarding how the scheduled presentation by Boyles reached the council agenda.
In explaining the rationale behind approving Boyles’ appearance before the city council, Cochran said, “We need help.”
Promotional information from Boyles’ company says that he brings an “insider’s knowledge” of operations in Washington which would give Mount Airy officials an edge in influencing federal legislation affecting city residents. Boyles has more than 25 years’ of federal government experience during which he claims to have facilitated various projects.
The consultant pledges to “become an extension of city government in Washington” who would improve Mount Airy’s working relationship with officials in the capital. This would include serving as a liaison on various issues as well as setting up meetings between Mount Airy and federal leaders as the need arises, according to the promotional material from his company.
Another way Boyles says he could help Mount Airy would be working to attract international business firms that might invest in the city and create jobs here. “I can assist you in the global marketing of your city” as a desirable location for business and industry investment, his promotional information states.
It further promises aid to Mount Airy in identifying opportunities for submitting “directed funding requests” in annual appropriations legislation considered by both houses of Congress.
Among his successful efforts in the past, Boyles claims, is securing funding for infrastructure improvements at Piedmont Triad International Airport related to bringing a Federal Express hub there.
The mayor said she is uncertain about where Boyles’ proposal might lead the city of Mount Airy. “Well, the board will hear his comments and, of course, they are the decision-makers,” Cochran said.
Another item that is not clear concerns what the consultant would charge for his services in Washington. His promotional material states that if Mount Airy accepts the proposal, the company would enter into a consulting agreement and “negotiate fair and reasonable fees for its services.”
Budget To Be Released
Among other scheduled matters Thursday night, Mount Airy’s commissioners will:
n Receive the municipal budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year that goes into effect on July 1. A commissioner who is a member of the city Budget Committee has said that while a “difficult” year is anticipated, no property tax or water-sewer hikes are expected to be part of the spending plan. A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held on June 1.
n Hold a public hearing regarding a proposed application by Mount Airy to become certified as an urban progress zone, which would increase economic-development incentives for depressed sections of town.
n Conduct another public hearing on a proposed amendment to city zoning rules involving an increase in the number of children allowed in family day-care homes to eight. The change, recommended by the Mount Airy Planning Board, would conform to present state regulations on day-care facilities.
n Consider two appointments to the Mount Airy-Surry County Airport Authority.
n Recognize Eagle Scouts and Mount Airy Middle School students for achievements.
Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.
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