Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Small Business Support topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee delays decision on small‑business support NDA, demands clearer allocations and competition
Summary
The Economic Development Committee tabled a final decision on the Small Business Support Services NDA until May 2, asking the county executive’s team to provide contractor‑level allocations, clarify encumbrance/rollover mechanics and propose a competitive selection process and performance metrics.
County staff briefed the Economic Development Committee on a recommended FY26 increase of about $82,000 for the Small Business Support Services NDA and described a new approach that would allocate a total NDA amount first and defer vendor‑level decisions until after appropriation.
Assistant CAO Ken Hartman Espada and business center staff described how eight existing resource partners have delivered training, peer cohorts and coaching, and said partners reported both demand for more cohort‑based supports and capacity limits that have produced underspend on some contracts. Staff proposed using encumbered balances and redirecting unspent FY25 contract funds to enable new competitive solicitations and expanded partnerships.
Council members pressed for transparent accounting of FY25 leftovers, how encumbrances operate in the county’s budget (Julie Knight, OMB, clarified where vendor line items are recorded and that unspent appropriations can revert to the general fund unless encumbered), and how the county would ensure that funds no longer automatically renew to incumbent contractors. Several members emphasized the need for clear outcome metrics, capacity assessments and competitive procurement rather than automatic renewals.
Committee members asked for a written plan that (a) specifies the total NDA amount proposed for FY26, (b) describes the allocation process if vendors will not be listed on section G, (c) identifies evaluation metrics and capacity requirements for prospective contractors, and (d) explains how leftover FY25 funds would be tracked and applied. The chair asked staff to return with that package for a May 2 follow‑up; the committee tabled final action until that meeting.
Council members repeatedly emphasized that the Small Business Resource Center’s navigators and peer cohorts are high‑value services and that any reallocation should prioritize program outcomes and capacity.
