Primary Department: Commissioner, Precinct 1
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Rodney Ellis, Commissioner
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: N/A
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for discussion and possible action regarding Harris County's Disparity Study Fund for independent school districts (ISDs), community colleges and small cities.
end
Background and Discussion:
The purpose of the Harris County Disparity Study Fund is to address racial and gender disparities where they may exist in public procurement practices, decrease barriers often experienced by Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in contract procurement, and increase access to economic opportunities.
On November 30, 2021, the Commissioners Court approved a court order to create a fund allocating $200,000 to independent school districts and community colleges in Harris County to conduct disparity studies to assess the use of M/WBEs in procurement.
On April 5, 2022, the Court approved the program design for the Disparity Study Fund grant program; then on May 24, 2022, the Court approved increasing the fund to $2 million using ARPA FLEX funds. Currently, Lone Star College, Aldine ISD, Alief ISD and Spring ISD are conducting disparity studies supported by the Disparity Study Fund.
On February 27, 2024, the Court approved amending the Disparity Study Fund court order and expanding eligibility for the Disparity Study Fund Grant program to include additional small cit...
Click here for full text