Toledo mayor ups minority goals for city contracts

6/9/2008

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner has increased the city's goals for minority participation in construction projects and the city's purchase of goods and services.

The new goals are 15 percent for construction contracts, up from 12.3 percent, and 10 percent for goods and services contracts, up from 7 percent.

The previous goals were a "good-faith effort" program established through legislation.

The mayor said his administrative policy reinforces the city's "commitment to minority participation in contracting dollars." The issue was debated earlier this year.

Councilman Michael Ashford suggested in April that the city increase its goals for minority participation in construction projects as well as the city's purchase of goods and services.

His proposal was to increase the goal for construction projects from 12.3 percent to 20 percent and for goods and services from 7 percent to 15 percent.

Councilman Lindsay Webb on April 1 advocated the 15 percent for construction and 10 percent for goods and services that the mayor has now adopted.

She requested a joint task force appointed by Mayor Finkbeiner and council in lieu of presenting legislation proposing the changes.