04-13-26 Fiscal Transparency & Accountability AD-HOC Subcommittee Meeting

The San Diego County Fiscal Transparency & Accountability Ad-Hoc Subcommittee convened on April 13, 2026, to review and discuss county contracting policies, procurement practices, and opportunities to enhance transparency, equity, and efficiency. Presentations focused on the alignment of older contracts with recent policy updates, including labor standards, environmental procurement, and small/local business participation. The subcommittee examined the use of cooperative agreements (co-ops) as a procurement tool, highlighting their benefits for speed, cost efficiency, and standardization, while also considering challenges related to small business inclusion and contract oversight. Staff reported increased small/local business participation from 12% to 21% of contract spend since policy changes and described programs like STEP and BUILD that support small businesses in navigating county procurement. The subcommittee discussed potential actions such as optimizing co-op contracts, standardizing equipment, and transitioning some co-op categories to county-led solicitations to improve service and cost-effectiveness. A motion was supported to direct staff to prepare a memo within 30 days summarizing these points and recommending steps to ensure consistency and performance in procurement practices. Public engagement and ongoing feedback were encouraged to further refine contracting processes.