New ‘disadvantaged business enterprise officer ‘

Requirement is essential to receive federal funds

By FRITZ MAYER

MONTICELLO, NY — Kathy Jones has a new title. She’s now the Sullivan County’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Officer (DBEO).

County Manager David Fanslau told lawmakers on July 12 that the appointment is necessary in order for the county to receive certain funds from the federal government. Jones is director of purchasing and central services in the general services department, and is responsible for ensuring that the county complies with all state and county procurement laws and regulations. The county is set to receive federal funding for improvements at the airport and funds from the Federal Transportation Authority for the construction of the planned transportation garage.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation website, the disadvantaged business enterprises are described as “a business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more minority or women individuals who are both socially and economically disadvantaged.” The DBEO program is an attempt to provide those businesses with the opportunity to participate on an equal basis with other contractors in gaining contracts that are financed with federal funds.

Lawmaker Kathy LaBuda asked if the appointment would require a pay raise for Jones. Fanslau said it would not. Lawmaker Sam Wohl asked if there is any policy in place that would give an advantage to local businesses for work being done for the county.

Fanslau answered that his office is working on a draft update of procurement policies, and guidelines covering local businesses could be included in that, if lawmakers wanted them. He said the appointment of a DBEO does not preclude any other guidelines lawmakers might want to adopt, but was being implemented to satisfy federal requirements.