Board Extends MWBE Sunset to Buy Time for Reforms; Clerk to Add Prior Ordinance Text

The Board of Aldermen moved on June 12 to preserve the city’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) program while stakeholder revisions are completed.

Sponsor’s presentation: The sponsor explained Board Bill 19 extends the MWBE program’s sunset date to Dec. 31, 2026 to allow additional stakeholder engagement and time to refine the ordinance. The extension does not change program provisions; it simply preserves the program while the working group finalizes revisions.

Procedural correction: A fellow alderwoman noted that charter rules require the prior ordinance text be attached or incorporated by reference when an ordinance amends existing language. The board voted to reconsider and place Board Bill 19 back on the perfection calendar so the required exhibit can be added before final passage.

Why it matters: The MWBE program governs certain procurement protections for minority- and women-owned firms that participate in city contracting. Extending the sunset date prevents an automatic lapse of those protections while reforms are being developed.

Next steps: Clerk will place Board Bill 19 back on the perfection calendar, the sponsor said she will attach the prior ordinance text as an exhibit, and the board will return to perfect and consider the ordinance after appropriate attachment and review.

Attribution: Statements paraphrased and quoted from the June 12 meeting transcript; speaker labels follow the record (for example, "Alderwoman from the 8th").