The City Council plans to further discuss a possible study on whether the city of Chattanooga offers a level playing field when doing business with minority- and female-owned companies.
Council members will take up the matter May 24, after digesting a presentation Tuesday by Atlanta disparity consultant Rodney K. Strong.
"The next thing we need to decide is how to go forward, if at all," said Councilman Yusuf Hakeem, citing the need to determine study costs and logistics. Hakeem has repeatedly requested that the council put "skin in the game" and launch a study on which to base government policies to address inequalities among Chattanooga residents.
Such a study, if launched, also would recommend remedies to address inequalities and provide hard data to support any subsequent government policy intended to address identified disparities, Strong said.
A disparity study looks at how the numbers stack up when comparing the number of available minority- and female-owned companies competing within a particular business segment, such as construction, general services or professional services, Strong said. If the percentage of those firms participating in government contracts is less than what is expected based on their availability, a disparity exists.
Part of the process involves in-depth interviews with government procurement personnel to discover whether any minorities face restrictive policies or other barriers when attempting to secure vendor contracts with the government.
A disparity study also researches whether marketplace discrimination occurs, and it incorporates statistical findings and anecdotal evidence, Strong said.
Remedies vary according to findings, he said, citing options such as outreach programs or financial and technical assistance.
Addressing inequalities is an affirmative duty of government and essential for economic growth, Strong said.
He said ending discriminatory practices may require the government to take "race-conscious action," and failing to do so may undermine the government's ability to "deal substantively with issues of crime and violence in your community."
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.