SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

El Paso City Code tit. 3, ch. 3.20

in effect

El Paso City Code § 3.20.010 Findings of fact—Intent.

3.20.010 - Findings of fact—Intent. The city council of the city finds that an indispensable element of the American economic system is free and vigorous competition, that the preservation and expansion of economic competition is essential to the economic well-being of this city, this state and the United States. The city council further finds that the continuing vitality of small business entities is of utmost importance to economic competition by assisting small business entities to the greatest extent possible. It is the intent of the city council by this chapter, to provide that assistance to small business entities, and by doing so, to promote economic competition to the benefit of all persons in this city. It is the intent of the council that each city agency shall attempt to award twenty percent of all purchases of articles, supplies, commodities, materials, services or contracts for services to small business. (Prior code § 18A-1(a))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.020 Definitions.

3.20.020 - Definitions. The following words shall have the following meanings: A. "Minority business" means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity formed for the purpose of making a profit if at least fifty percent of the business is owned by minority group members or, in the case of a corporation, at least fifty-one percent of its shares are owned by minority group members. Minority group members include Black Americans, Mexican-Americans and other Americans of Latin or Spanish origin, American Orientals, American Indians and any other persons who have declared themselves to be discriminated against due to being female or because of race, color, creed, religion or place of origin. B. "Small business" means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity formed for the purpose of making a profit, which is independently owned and operated, has fewer than one hundred employees and less than one million dollars in annual gross receipts, and is designated a small business as provided by this chapter, but does not include subsidiaries wholly or partially owned by a business with more than one hundred employees or more than one million dollars in annual gross receipts. (Prior code § 18A-1(b))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.030 Award of purchases and contracts to small businesses—Percentage.

3.20.030 - Award of purchases and contracts to small businesses—Percentage. The city shall award small businesses purchases and contract awards whose total value is not less than twenty percent of the total value of all purchases in contract awards that the city expects to make during its fiscal year. The city shall estimate the expected total value of purchases in contract awards not later than the sixtieth day of the fiscal year, but may revise the estimate as new information requires. (Prior code § 18A-1(c))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.040 Award of purchases and contracts to small businesses—Division when necessary.

3.20.040 - Award of purchases and contracts to small businesses—Division when necessary. The city shall divide purchases in contract awards into smaller units when it is necessary to facilitate offers or bids for small businesses. (Prior code § 18A-1(d))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.050 Award of purchases and contracts to minority businesses—Percentage.

3.20.050 - Award of purchases and contracts to minority businesses—Percentage. The city shall award the small businesses that are also minority businesses purchases in contract awards whose total value is not less than twenty percent of the value of the purchases in contract awards the city expects to award to all small businesses. (Prior code § 18A-1(e))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.060 Award of purchases and contracts—Method.

3.20.060 - Award of purchases and contracts—Method. The city shall select among small and minority businesses to be awarded purchases in contract awards pursuant to this section on a competitive basis in the manner provided by the State Purchasing Act of 1957; as amended, Article 2368a, Section 2, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes, unless the business is entitled to a preference by law. (Prior code § 18A-1(f))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.070 Award of contracts—Notification of time and place.

3.20.070 - Award of contracts—Notification of time and place. Notice of the time and place when and where such contract shall be let shall be published in the city once a week for two consecutive weeks prior to the time set for letting such contract, the date of the first publication to be at least fourteen days prior to the date set for letting the contract, and the contract shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder meeting the specifications of the contract. (Prior code § 18A-1(g))

El Paso City Code § 3.20.080 Small business qualification research requirements—Maintenance of master list required.

3.20.080 - Small business qualification research requirements—Maintenance of master list required. The department of financial services/CFO shall conduct research necessary to ascertain which business associations qualify as small businesses under the terms of this chapter, designate each as a small business, maintain a master list of small businesses, and revoke the designation when an entity ceases to be a small business. (Prior code § 18A-1(h))

Source: City of El Paso, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/el_paso/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT3REFI_CH3.20SMBUASFetched: 10/28/2026