DATE:
June 24, 2025 & August 26, 2025
12
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO AND SUNSET OF BOARD POLICIES RELATED TO ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND PROCUREMENT AND ADOPT AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE XXIII OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDINANCES RELATING TO COUNTY CONTRACTING (6/24/2025 - FIRST READING; 8/26/2025 - SECOND READING UNLESS ORDINANCE IS MODIFIED ON SECOND READING) (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) is committed to building a more inclusive and resilient regional economy, especially through supporting the prosperity of small businesses, nonprofits and community-based organizations. This is achieved through a variety of programs and services, and through leveraging its purchasing power. The County spends over $2 billion annually on contracts.
On April 30, 2024 (12), the Board directed staff to explore ways to expand the County's reach to local businesses through outreach and education, reviewing current programs to enhance local business participation in County procurements, and aligning with California Assembly Bill 2019 (2022) to support small and disadvantaged business enterprises. On August 27, 2024 (22), the Board further directed the Chief Administrative Officer to evaluate the County's use of State and federal business certifications and report back on recommendations, including formalizing local participation requirements for County contracts, increasing the local business preference policy, establishing a small business advancement policy, creating a technical assistance program, and funding an insurance and bonding assistance program.
To ensure these efforts to expand economic opportunity are inclusive and community-informed, the County launched a multi-phase community engagement strategy. This initiative gathered input from business owners, nonprofits, and community leaders on how to strengthen the County's role in supporting local economic development, especi...
Click here for full text