The City is committed to promoting and stimulating the local economy and business community, as well creating employment opportunities for North Miami Beach residents. In furtherance of the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the City of North Miami Beach, the Procurement Management Division regularly purchases goods and services through a formal competitive selection process.  This procurement process should also recognize and balance the further good to the local economy and residents resulting in additional benefits to the City.

An ordinance has been drafted amending the City of North Miami Beach Code of Ordinance, Chapter III, enacting a local business preference and community benefits plan which will allow the City to promote local businesses, as well as benefit from enhanced economic activity of local hiring, as dollars will re-circulate in the local economy.  The direct effect will not only benefit the local economy by directly investing money through the awarding of a City contract to a local business but also potentially increase employment opportunities of the residents of the City. In these ways, the benefits to the City of awarding a contract to a local business extend well beyond the value of the initial contract.

The ordinance will provide a local business ten percentage (10%) preference for formal requests for proposals, contracts and bids, when the City is not otherwise restricted from offering such a preference.  The community benefits plan local hiring requirements will be required for all city-funded projects exceeding $250,000.00, unless otherwise restricted. The contractor will be required to submit a community benefit plan, which may incorporate local workforce initiatives, as part of their bid proposal. The awarded contractor will be required to make every effort to provide significant job opportunities for local residents, including the marketing job vacancies with local employment agencies.

The preferences established in no way will prohibit the right of the City to compare quality of supplies or services proposed for purchase and to compare qualifications of those submitting bids or proposals. Further, the preferences established in no way prohibit the right of the City from giving any other preference permitted by law instead of the preferences granted, nor prohibit the City to select the bid or proposal which is the most responsible and in the best interests of the City.