Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 161064

Printable PDF Format

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 161064

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-809-16

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT FIU

Introduced: 5/5/2016

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 9/7/2016

Agenda Date: 9/7/2016

Agenda Item Number: 11A7

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY POLICY THAT AT LEAST $300,000.00 OF PROCEEDS FROM THE LOCAL BUSINESS TAX, OR OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE REVENUE, SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN FY 2016-17 TO SUPPORT EXPANDED SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE PROVIDED BY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (''SBDC'') AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (''FIU''), SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION; DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE, PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED FY 2016-17 COUNTY BUDGET, AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH FIU TO EXPAND THE SERVICES OF SBDC TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO PRESENT SUCH INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO THIS BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO, OR CONCURRENTLY WITH, THE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE FY 2016-17 COUNTY BUDGET

Indexes:	FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (FIU)
	SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

Sponsors:	Jean Monestime, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Daniella Levine Cava, Co-Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	9/7/2016	11A7	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Jordan noted that upon reviewing the foregoing proposed resolution, she noticed this policy existed when the Small Business Development Department (SBD) had an active Entrepreneurial Institute program. She requested the SBD staff to clarify that this resolution did not have any conflicts and that there was a separation of responsibilities between Florida International University (FIU) and SBD. Mr. Gary Hartfield, Director, SBD, stated that Commissioner Jordan was correct; noting SBD previously had an Entrepreneurial Institute program where they concentrated on SBD certified firms as well as assisting other firms to develop their businesses, He pointed out that SBD currently concentrated only on SBD certified firms. Commissioner Jordan inquired whether this helped the departments recruitment efforts or helped the department expand the catalogue of small businesses that would qualify to apply for certification. Mr. Hartfield replied to Commissioner Jordan’s inquiry noting that eventually the firm would get the tools they needed to ensure their business were in proper order to meet the SBD certification criteria. Commissioner Levine Cava noted that her proposed amendment was distributed; however, she felt it was overly complicated and asked that her proffered amendment be withdrawn. Following further discussion between Board members and Mr. Hartfield, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

Economic Prosperity Committee	7/14/2016	2B	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	(NOTE: See report under Agenda Item 2A, Legislative File No. 161589)

Economic Prosperity Committee	6/16/2016	2M	Deferred		7/14/2016		P
REPORT:	Chairman Suarez presented a reasonable opportunity for the public to be heard on the foregoing proposed resolution; and seeing no one appear, the Committee proceeded to consider the proposed resolution. Assistant County Attorney Miguel Gonzalez read into the record the following proposed amendment by Commissioner Levine Cava to increase the allocation from $300,000.00 to $400,000.00, with $100,000.00 going to a report which he described. He noted the dollar amount amendment would be reflected in the sixth and eighth recital of the proposed resolution, and after the ninth recital, to add the following: “the FIU Prosperity Initiative Feasibility Study included several recommendations to grow and support small businesses, and this Board desires for the SBDC to coordinate with the FIU Metropolitan Center to develop an implementation plan for the business-related recommendation found in the Prosperity Initiative Study.” Assistant County Attorney Gonzalez said the following language would be added after the tenth recital, “Whereas, the Interlocal Agreement shall further require the SBDC to prepare a business implementation plan for the recommendations included in the FIU Study which plan shall include an analysis of the existing eco-system of business development services and programs, and a review of best practices around the country to expand and scale up businesses, for example, the Motor City Match Program in Detroit”; and in Section 2 of the Now, Therefore clause, to increase the allocation to $400,000.00. Commissioner Sosa pointed out the FIU report which was deferred earlier in today's meeting, was included in the foregoing resolution. Vice Chairwoman Edmonson suggested the proposed amendment be made at the Board of County Commissioners meeting as the foregoing resolution was sponsored by County Commission Chairman Monestime. Commissioner Levine concurred with Vice Chairwoman Edmonson’s suggestion, and acknowledged that the FIU report had been deferred. Commissioner Sosa asked how much funds were collected every year from the Local Business Tax; how were the funds currently used; how many small businesses had participated in FIU's program since it was started; whether FIU tracked their progress in any way; the amount of funds FIU provided to its Small Business Development Center; whether FIU had expressed an interest in partnering with the County’s Small Business Division (SBD); and how similar and how productive were the programs. Commissioner Sosa said FIU was a State university and the expansion of services for small businesses by adding outreach specialists meant additional expenses; and she questioned whether FIU was dependent on County funds to pay for those additional employees. Commissioner Sosa said the Committee should be having discussions about providing education to young people, and minorities; and to pay for students to study so they could become self-sufficient. Vice Chairwoman Edmonson requested staff to place Commissioner Sosa’s concerns on the record so they could be addressed when the foregoing resolution came back to Committee. It was moved by Commissioner Levine Cava that the foregoing proposed resolution be forwarded to the County Commission with a favorable recommendation, without the proposed amendment. This motion did not receive a second. Vice Chairwoman Edmonson suggested the foregoing resolution be deferred to the next Committee meeting; and Commissioner Sosa’s concerns be addressed in the interim. Commissioner Levine Cava concurred with the deferral. She said the proposed resolution contemplated using Local Business Tax funds in collaboration with the SBD. In response to Commissioner Levine Cava's comment that this was the second deferral of this item, Vice Chairwoman Edmonson said the item could be deferred up to three times. There being no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to defer the foregoing proposed resolution to the July 14, 2016 Committee meeting.

Economic Prosperity Committee	5/12/2016	2G	Deferred to next committee meeting
REPORT:	During consideration of today's (5/12) agenda, the foregoing proposed resolution was deferred to the June 16, 2016 Economic Prosperity Committee meeting.

County Attorney	5/5/2016		Assigned	Monica Rizo		5/5/2016

County Attorney	5/5/2016		Referred	Economic Prosperity Committee	5/12/2016

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING COUNTY POLICY THAT AT LEAST $300,000.00 OF PROCEEDS FROM THE LOCAL BUSINESS TAX, OR OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE REVENUE, SHALL BE ALLOCATED IN FY 2016-17 TO SUPPORT EXPANDED SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY TO BE PROVIDED BY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (�SBDC�) AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY (�FIU�), SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION; DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO NEGOTIATE, PRIOR TO THE RELEASE OF THE MAYOR'S PROPOSED FY 2016-17 COUNTY BUDGET, AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH FIU TO EXPAND THE SERVICES OF SBDC TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR'S DESIGNEE TO PRESENT SUCH INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TO THIS BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO, OR CONCURRENTLY WITH, THE FINAL ADOPTION OF THE FY 2016-17 COUNTY BUDGET

BODY
WHEREAS, Florida International University (�FIU�) is the Host Institution, as that term is defined in Florida Statutes Section 288.001(2)(b), for the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, the principal business assistance organization designated by the State of Florida pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 288.001 for small businesses in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the Small Business Development Center (�SBDC�) at FIU serves the complex and diverse needs of small businesses throughout every stage of growth through no-cost professional business consulting, value�added training, and access to business data and information; and
WHEREAS, The Florida Small Business Development Center Network, a pilot program launched in 1976 that was officially recognized by the federal government with the adoption of the Small Business Act of 1980, has grown to become the largest such network in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the Chairman�s Council for Prosperity Initiatives (�Council�) has heard testimony regarding the efficacy of the SBDC at FIU with a team of more than a dozen highly experienced business experts who serve as paid professional consultants; and
WHEREAS, this Board supports the expansion of the services provided by the SBDC at FIU to small businesses throughout Miami-Dade County through the addition of outreach specialists, utilizing various county facilities and offices to improve access for small businesses who might not otherwise avail themselves of such beneficial services; and
WHEREAS, likewise, this Board supports the SBDC at FIU and desires to dedicate at least $300,000.00 in FY 2016-17 to the SBDC at FIU for the expansion of the services provided by the SBDC at FIU to those eligible small businesses in the County that pay the County�s Local Business Tax or are otherwise in compliance with the County�s ordinance governing same; and
WHEREAS, indeed, local businesses in Miami-Dade County pay more than $15 million each year in fees for the privilege of conducting business within the jurisdictional boundaries of the unincorporated areas and municipalities of the County pursuant to the provisions and the requirements of Article IX, Section 8A-171 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, et al.; and
WHEREAS, accordingly, this Board desires to fund the $300,000.00 to the SBDC at FIU in FY 2016-17 from (a) the proceeds of the Local Business Tax, collected pursuant to the provisions and the requirements of Article IX, Section 8A-171 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, et al., that are not already obligated to support the Beacon Council, or (b) some other legally available revenues identified by the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee; and
WHEREAS, in subsequent years, it is this Board�s desire that Miami-Dade County increase its financial commitment to the SBDC at FIU, subject to annual appropriation, for the purposes of ensuring outreach services are extended to all eligible small businesses located in Miami-Dade County who pay a Local Business Tax or are otherwise in compliance with the County�s ordinance governing same; and
WHEREAS, this Board desires to have the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee negotiate an Interlocal Agreement with FIU prior to the release of the proposed budget for FY 2016-17 for the aforementioned purposes, and such Interlocal Agreement should include provisions allowing the SBDC at FIU to utilize County offices and facilities to provide such services and should set forth the obligation of the SBDC at FIU to, and the means by which the SBDC at FIU will, verify that recipients of the expanded small business outreach services have paid the County�s Local Business Tax or are otherwise in compliance with the County�s Local Business Tax ordinance; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the Interlocal Agreement between Miami-Dade County and the SBDC at FIU should provide specific detail regarding the collaborative relationship of the SBDC at FIU and the Small Business Development Division of the Internal Services Department (�SBD Division�) for the mutual benefit of Miami-Dade-County-certified small business enterprises and small businesses�in Miami-Dade County; and�
WHEREAS, as the SBD Division offers a continuum of services to certified small business enterprises, including, among other services, program enrollment for county contracting, workshops to improve competitive advantages, assistance in market expansion to other public entities and the private sector, facilitating program graduation and assisting businesses to succeed in the open market, it is in the best interest of the County to have the SBDC at FIU and the SBD Division work collaboratively; and
WHEREAS, for instance, the SBDC at FIU provides specialized one-on-one consultations to grow existing businesses to their full potential, and Miami-Dade County Small Business Enterprise firms would benefit from these free, customized services; and
WHEREAS, the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee shall present the Interlocal Agreement for this Board�s consideration and approval prior to, or concurrently with, the Board�s final adoption of the FY 2016-17 budget,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are incorporated and approved as if fully set forth herein.
Section 2. This Board hereby establishes a County policy that at least $300,000.00 of proceeds from (a) the County�s Local Business Tax, collected pursuant to the provisions of Article IX, Section 8A-171 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Florida, et. al., that are not already obligated to support the Beacon Council, or (b) other legally available revenue, be allocated in FY 2016-17 to support expanded outreach services by the SBDC at FIU to eligible small businesses located in Miami-Dade County who pay a Local Business Tax or are otherwise in compliance with the County�s ordinance governing same, subject to appropriation.
Section 3. This Board directs the County Mayor or Mayor�s designee to negotiate, prior to the release of the Mayor�s proposed FY 2016-17 County budget, an Interlocal Agreement with FIU for the purposes set forth in Section 1 of this resolution and such Interlocal Agreement should include provisions allowing the SBDC at FIU to utilize County offices and facilities to provide such services and should set forth the obligation of the SBDC at FIU to, and the means by which the SBDC at FIU will, verify that recipients of the expanded small business
outreach services have paid the County�s Local Business Tax or are otherwise in compliance with the County�s Local Business Tax ordinance. The County Mayor or Mayor�s designee is hereby further directed to present the Interlocal Agreement with FIU for this Board�s consideration and approval prior to, or concurrently with, the Board�s final adoption of the FY 2016-17 budget.