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Board reviews draft competitiveness study RFP; proposal deadline set for March 28
Summary
Staff presented a draft RFQ/RFP for a competitiveness study to compare Denton with peer DFW cities, analyze incentives and ROI, and recommend policy changes. The board discussed scope, budget disclosure and adding bond ratings to the criteria. The item required no vote; staff will post the solicitation.
City economic development staff presented a draft request for proposals for a data-intensive competitiveness study intended to complement the strategic plan.
Britney Sotella, presenting the item, summarized the study’s objectives: compare Denton to peer cities on workforce, site readiness, cost of doing business, incentives and ROI, utilities and infrastructure, housing and schools, and transportation/supply chain risk. She said the proposal deadline in the draft schedule is March 28, 2025.
Sotella outlined three anticipated deliverables: (1) city comparisons using criteria such as labor availability, development-ready sites and development timelines; (2) an evaluation of existing incentives and short- and long-term return on investment for the general fund; and (3) consultant recommendations on policy, process and implementation measures. She said the study will examine fiscal and economic impacts of incentivized projects in comparable cities and review utility access and infrastructure constraints in industrial areas.
Board members sought clarifications and suggested edits. One member asked that bond ratings for the city, county and school district be included in the evaluation because bond ratings affect the cost of doing business; staff said she would add that item. Several board members discussed whether to publish the RFP budget on the solicitation. Sotella said the draft previously included a budget figure but that staff could remove it to avoid negotiating against themselves; she told the board she would take the budget figure out of the public posting.
Sotella said responses will allow the board to decide which optional or a la carte tasks to authorize, and that the most critical output is the incentive-evaluation work so the board and staff have a shared evidence base for policy and council recommendations. If the board approves the draft as modified, staff said the solicitation will be posted and proposals sought from consultants.
Ending: Staff said they will post the RFP with board feedback and return proposals for board review. The board did not take a formal vote on the item; it was presented for direction and comment only.
