RESOLUTION APPROVED BY COUNTY BOARD WILL REQUIRE INFORMATION ON MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN COUNTY BILLS APPROVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD

September 21, 2020
County Board Supervisor Anthony Gray, (608) 354-7122
County Board

At the September 17th Dane County Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution requiring the list of bills the County Board regularly approves to include information on minority- and women-owned business that are receiving payment was approved. The resolution was introduced and sponsored by Dane County Supervisor Anthony Gray (District 14), who represents the western part of the City of Madison.

 

Currently, the list of bills the board approves includes all payments to be made that are over $10,000 and that the Controller’s Office has recommended be allowed by the County Board . It lists the business name and the amount paid for bills incurred in the operation of Dane County departments. The resolution includes adding additional information indicating whether each business listed is a minority- and/or women-owned business, as self-reported by the business.

 

The resolution follows recommendations from two County Board program evaluations completed in the last few years that examined government operations, policies, and practices, including a targeted evaluation of Dane County government contracting and purchasing processes and policies, with a focus on racial and social equity.

"We know we need to do better in Dane County when it comes to racial and social equity. Having this information accessible when we are making important decisions will help us keep it central to the decision-making process," said Gray.

 

Dane County has made a commitment to equity and inclusion and has incorporated that commitment in ordinances, policies, and numerous initiatives focused on eliminating racial disparities across Dane County Government operations, the resolution goes on to say.