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):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding Harris County’s Disparity Study Fund for independent school districts (ISDs), community colleges and small cities.
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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 cities with populations less than 200,000 people.
Expected Impact: Entities have accurate data on disparities in procurement and create M/WBE programs if disparity studies are identified.
Alternative Options: The entities completing Disparity Studies do not meet timelines. M/WBEs see reduced opportunities in government procurement.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 3. Make our economy more inclusive.
County Strategic Plan Objective: J: Grow the number and size of MWBEs.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): Choose an item.
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): Choose an item.
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): J2: Increase the strength and size of MWBE prime vendors.
Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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11/30/21 |
253 |
Court approved $200,000 for pilot Disparity Study Fund for ISDs and community colleges. |
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5/24/22 |
247 |
Court increased the Disparity Fund to $2,000,000 and finalized guidelines for ISDs and community colleges |
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2/27/2024 |
6 |
Court approved expanding the entities eligible for funding to small cities with populations of 200,000 or less. |
Location: Countywide
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Countywide
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Anticipated Court Date: 4/10/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Erica Lee Carter, Policy Director
Attachments (if applicable): N/A