County taxpayers may foot bill for Lawson-Remer's ex-Faulconer aide

Whether Democrat or Republican, San Diego politicos are infamous for taking care of each other at local taxpayers' expense. Freshman San Diego County supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, widely billed as a liberal Democrat, furnishes the latest example.

Elected in November over incumbent Republican Kirstin Gaspar, Lawson-Remer wants her colleagues on the board of supervisors to spend $85,000 of taxpayer funds to hire Matter Strategies, LLC to handle her public relations.

According to the board's agenda for the meeting, the sole-source deal, which would last a year, and includes a 12-month renewal clause, is set for a vote on Tuesday, April 6.

"Supervisor Terra Lawson Remer is requesting an exception to competitive procurement under Board of Supervisors Policy A-87 to contract with Matter Strategies, LLC. to provide communications support services," begins Lawson-Remer's pitch.

"Matter Strategies, LLC is uniquely qualified to provide communications strategy, community engagement, and support considering their experience within the San Diego region and understanding of the work of the County of San Diego.

"Matter Strategies, LLC will provide supplemental communications services and provide mentorship to the emerging communications staff.

“The consultant shall facilitate and assist Supervisor Lawson-Remer's Office in developing overall communications practices for proactive engagement with constituents and stakeholders gathering input from the community, structuring strong messages inclusive of their needs, building out social and traditional media channels."

"Matter Strategies, LLC is a strategic communications and public affairs firm focused on effective community engagement for individuals and organizations within the San Diego region. Its staff has extensive experience managing communications in legislative offices, executive offices, and public agencies, with recent and relevant experience in overseeing external communications related to the COVID-19 pandemic within the San Diego region."

Who is behind the firm? Though Remer's proposal doesn't mention it, none other than Republican ex-Kevin Faulconer's former mayoral staffer Matt Awbrey.

Records show that Matter Strategies LLC was set up on February 13 of last year. A February 20, 2020 filing shows Awbrey as company CEO.

Last October 20, Awbrey announced the firm would be advising Faulconer, according to an account by Politico.com

"In the new role as CEO of the California-based firm, Awbrey will still be advising Faulconer and assisting him on his Building the Dream committee, in addition to other projects, Awbrey told Politico."

Even before leaving city employment as Faulconer's chief of staff for civic-external affair on October 2 of last year, Awbrey worked as communications director for the Yes On E campaign, per a September 22 account by SDNews.com.

Heavily funded by multinational developer Brookfield Properties, Measure E abolished the 30-foot-height limit in the city's Midway and Sports Arena area, clearing the way for a forest of high-dollar residential and office towers.

City campaign disclosure records show Matter ultimately got $32,000 for the gig.