Equity and Contracting advisory reports outreach gains, urges prompt-payment reforms and a performance dashboard

City staff and members of Tacoma’s Equity and Contracting (EIC) Advisory Committee briefed the Economic Development Committee on Sept. 30 about recruitment, workshops and next steps to improve contracting equity.

Casey Woods, Business and Economic Development Manager, said the EIC advisory committee was established in April 2022 by Resolution 40944 and that its purpose is to monitor compliance with EIC program guidelines, advise on contracting matters, and help make city contracting more inclusive for small, minority- and women-owned businesses.

Woods said the committee includes 15 seats (seven representing certified businesses, five representing council districts and three seats representing Tacoma Public Utility Board appointees) and that 12 of 15 seats are currently filled; staff are recruiting to fill vacancies in Council Districts 1 and 4 and the open-shop firm seat. The committee has activated two subcommittees — Internal Process and Workforce — and has delivered a series of workshops.

Linda Serna, outreach specialist, said the EIC program hosted eight workshops and community events in 2025 that reached more than 120 attendees and has nine active partnerships with local technical-assistance providers to expand culturally competent outreach and language access.

Scott Lund, chair of the advisory committee, emphasized prompt-payment practices and capacity-building supports. "Getting paid on a job can be a line in the sand for a smaller business," Lund said, arguing that timely payment is a practical barrier that affects…