Board votes to repeal county M/WB/BE participation policy after state law; community leader urges measured transition

The Leon County Commission voted to repeal chapter 2, article 9 of the county code (the minority/women/business enterprise participation policy) to comply with the passage of Florida Senate Bill 1134, staff said. County staff warned the board of potential legal liability for violating the new state prohibitions and recommended a restructuring of utilization and contracting initiatives to expand opportunities for small businesses while meeting the new statutory constraints.

Katrina Thugerson, a community stakeholder and representative of local business interests, urged commissioners to adopt option two so the county could "go with option number two ... for the wraparound of the community to have community conversations" and ensure a smooth transition for businesses that have relied on the existing program. "We're not going anywhere. Nothing is going to happen to us. We're going to persevere," she told the commission.

Staff said they will return in the fall with a consolidated, legally compliant policy and programming to support small-business capacity building. The motion to accept staff recommendations (options 1, 2 and 3 as proposed) was moved by Commissioner Maddox and seconded by Commissioner Cummings. The transcript records the motion as adopted and cites a roll-call remark that the vote "passes 43" with several dissenting votes noted by name.

What the county will do next: staff plans a fall follow-up with a restructured policy and expanded technical-assistance efforts coordinated with the Office of Economic Vitality, including discussions with the Capitol City Chamber and other local partners.

The county's action responds to state law changes; staff cautioned that further details on the revised contracting approach will return to the board after legal review.