Administration.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 370-3
in effect370-3. Administration.
The department of compliance and engagement shall be responsible for the administration, coordination and implementation of the city's small business enterprise program. The department of compliance and engagement shall:
1. Establish criteria and procedures for reviewing contract performance and compliance with the requirements of the program, subject to approval by the common council.
2. Develop appropriate rules, procedures and regulations for assuring participation of small business enterprises in city contracts, subject to approval by the common council, and supervise, coordinate, monitor and enforce the implementation of small business enterprise participation goals for all city procurements in accordance with those rules, procedures and regulations.
3. Develop procedures for certification of small business enterprises.
4. Provide appropriate management assistance and direction to small business enterprises so as to maximize their participation in contracts let by the city, with such assistance to include:
a. Providing assistance and information in connection with the establishment, expansion and overall development of small business enterprises.
b. Assisting in the introduction of business associations between individuals of small business enterprises and others or between 2 or more small business enterprises.
c. Planning and participating in training seminars for informing potential bidders of the small business enterprise program and of business opportunities available.
d. Serving as a clearinghouse for information about training and educational programs.
e. Developing various types of financial assistance for consideration by the common council to assist small business enterprises to obtain working capital to begin, continue and maintain a satisfactory level of business. These include a revolving loan program, guaranteed loan program, gap lending program and bond reduction and waivers when feasible.
5. Use centralized labor and contract compliance software reporting and evaluation systems for uniform data collection, maintenance, monitoring and reporting by all city departments and contractors with responsibilities under the city’s small business enterprise and residents preference programs.
6. Review and monitor all city contracts with small business enterprises for compliance and notify in written form the contractor on the findings of the review and decisions concerning satisfaction of contractual deficiencies.
7. Serve as liaison with economic development organizations and agencies working in support of economic development in the community.
8. Coordinate any city-sponsored economic development programs for small business enterprises.
9. Review small business enterprise participation progress in the city's contract and procurement activities and submit, on or before October 1 of each year, a written report to the mayor and common council.
10. Establish reporting requirements for all contracting departments to document the percentage of contracts which have been awarded to small business enterprises.
11. Devise rules, regulations and procedures governing requests for waivers from the requirements of the small business enterprise program, subject to approval by the common council.
12. Conduct hearings on requests by contracting agencies for waivers from the requirements of the program. Upon a denial of a request for a waiver, the affected agency may apply for a waiver to the appropriate standing committee of the common council. The committee shall have the authority to waive any requirements of this chapter upon showing of good cause.
13. Develop and monitor affirmative action criteria for employment of minorities and women by contractors, subcontractors and suppliers consistent with law.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-3/CH370.pdf#page=2Fetched: 10/26/2026