City Council hired two economic development consulting firms Thursday for no more than $168,000 a year and agreed to three-year contracts with review in a year.

Keller Company and Partners of Washington, D.C. and Delta Development Group of Mechanicsburg will work for no more than $7,000 a month.

Thomas Keller, owner, said his goal will be to “capture everything he can for the city.”

Teresa Sparacino, Delta vice president of community and economic developmemt, noted the firm has expertise in planning as well as individuals keeping an eye on $160 billion possible for communities in recovery.

The work will begin with a brainstorming session with the city’s economic development team and a review and analysis of every project on the city list, Keller said.

From that “wish list” the company will begin to formulate the necessary match funding.

“We’ve already begun to have discussions” regarding funding that is available to the city that will not be in conflict with Lycoming County funding, Keller said.

Keller is also working on behalf of the county on the levee recertification funding.

The U.S. Congress is talking about reinstituting a practice known as “earmarking,” Keller said.

The firm has put “feelers” out to see what could be done for Williamsport, he said.

Earmarked funding opens another avenue of funding in addition to what can be secured for the communities.

Councilwoman Bonnie Katz noted how the city has lost out on funding in the past because projects have not been earmarked.

Sparacino noted how the city can use Delta on “housing rehabilitation” and “land banks,” which aggregate parcels for sale and development. That might be a strategy to start to acquire vacant lots as part of the Park Avenue plan.

Mayor Derek Slaughter said the “wheels are in motion” regarding the land bank discussions.

The city has $125,000 budgeted for consulting work. Much of the cost is expected to be offset by federal and state transit funds.

The contracts require annual review before renewal. The firms are promising monthly written reports and quarterly updates on progress.

Keller asked for a 60-day termination and Delta a 30-day out clause.

Projects concerning the city administration and council include neighborhood revitalization and flood mitigation of Grafius Run.

“We have a lot of good things for the future,” Council President Randall J. Allison said.