The Andy Berke mayoral administration sent out a news release earlier this week, patting itself on the back for a report showing 14.35 percent of the total number of city of Chattanooga purchases in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 went to a minority, woman or veteran-owned business.
It went on to say the 14.35 percent rate had risen from the approximately 2 percent rate of purchases made from diverse businesses when the mayor took office.
That's wonderful news as long as the minority, woman or veteran-owned businesses are the best sources for the purchases and, where possible and within reason, the lowest-priced sources. The news release didn't discuss those aspects of city purchasing. But if they're not the best and lowest priced sources, the city is not getting the best bang for its taxpayer buck and is propping up businesses because of their owners' status as a minority, woman or veteran.
Chattanooga is a diverse city, and minorities, women and veterans should be encouraged by the city -- and assisted in an even-handed way -- to have an entrepreneurial spirit and open businesses. What it should not do is play favorites. There is no indication the city is doing that, but the announcement may have dialed up a little closer scrutiny of city purchasing practices by all the business owners.