HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7038 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS N0.7038
�a4 tok. To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
July 23, 1985
X Subject: DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE(DBE) PROGRAM
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During the City Council meeting on July 9, 1985, the City Council
requested a report on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) pro-
gram.
Background
As a part of the 1984-85 budget process, the City Council considered a
decision package on establishment of a DBE office. A staff report was
presented that outlined- the major problems, possible program activities
and the proposed staffing and funding level (see Attachment I) . A
report also was presented on the operation of the D/FW Airport DBE pro-
gram (see Attachment II) . The City Council included the program in the
1984-85 adopted budget.
Staffing
Preparation of the job description of the DBE Coordinator began shortly
after October 1, 1984. It was completed and reviewed by appropriate
personnel in mid-November. Since the position was advertised in several
national publications, it was necessary to 'keep it open until the end of
December to meet certain deadlines-. The Personnel Department then
structured an interview process and evaluated the applicatio6s. The
selection of the administrative assistant was made in mid-February and
the Coordinator was hired and the program actually became operational
March 1, 1985.
Financing
The decision package considered by the City Council recommended a
funding level` of $77,530. It was anticipated that the general fund
would pay $19,383 and the remainder of $59,147 would come from grant and
enterprise funds. The re-estimated budget for FY 1984-85 is $54,770, a
portion of which ($5,615) is for capital outlays. Attachment III is a
memo from the Budget Director that provides more detailed information
and an explanation on how the determination was made on the amount paid
by the various enterprise funds.
Program Activities
One of the top priorities of this office has been the identification of
DBE and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) firms who can provide a product
and/or service needed by the City. Duriny the first months, a total of
twenty-one new DBEs have been added to the bid list. In addition, seven
t-IBEs have been added. One of the major changes in approach has been the
effort to actively seek out firms to bid on various projects, as opposed
to waiting for them to request to be placed on bid lists . The basic
premise is that the more bidders there are for projects, the better the
likelihood that more competitive bids will be received.
[ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
�INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7038 -_Page 2
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council July 23, 1985
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Subject: DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE(DBE) PROGRAM
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Attachment IV provides a summary of the activities this office has been
involved with since March, 1985, and an indication of future activities
that will be undertaken in the very near future.
One of the objectives of the program is to establish city-wide goals for
DBE/WBE participation in contracts. In the past, goals have only been
set on some federally-assisted projects. In order to gage the impact
of the goals, it is necessary to have an adequate data base to reflect
the dollar value of contracts let by the City annually. That informa-
tion is being developed manually at this time, as work proceeds on a
computerized system. Once sufficient data has been obtained, a City-
wide DBE plan will be submitted to the City Council for approval .
Summary
As it is with the start up of any new office, it takes some time to
organize internally and to establish the necessary lines of communica-
tions to be effective. Although the DBE office has done a great deal
during its four months, once the DBE/WBE community becomes fully aware
of its operation, the activity level should increase even more.
Staff will be available at the Pre-Council meeting on July 23, -1985, to
answer any questions about the program. In the meantime, if additional
information is desired prior to that time, it will be supplied upon
request.
Dou s Harman
Citianager
DH:jcn
Attachments
- ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS