Metropolitan Council hears 2025 disparity study: consultants find gaps in utilization, recommend expanded tools and prompt payment reforms

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Consultants from Keene Independent presented results from the 2025 Minnesota disparity study at the Metropolitan Council’s July 9 meeting, reporting continued disparities between the share of council contract dollars awarded to minority‑ and women‑owned firms and the firms’ estimated availability.

Key findings presented by Blanca Montero and David King included: from July 2016–June 2023 roughly 9 percent of Metropolitan Council contract dollars went to minority‑ and women‑owned businesses combined; weighted availability analysis estimated approximately 13 percent would have gone to those firms if a level playing field existed; the combined disparity index (utilization ÷ availability × 100) for MBE/WBE was 68 (a disparity index below 80 is commonly treated as a substantial disparity in disparity‑study practice). Keene reported roughly $52 million (about 5 percent) of council contract dollars went to minority‑owned firms and about $38 million (about 3 percent) to white women‑owned firms in the study period. The consultants also reported that 63 percent of contract dollars…