Regional Agency Drops Diversity Mandates After Board Review

By San Diego Monitor News

The San Diego Association of Governments has voted to discontinue its longstanding diversity requirements for contractors and consultants, marking a significant change in how the regional agency oversees its procurement and hiring policies.

The decision followed months of discussion among board members, community groups, and business organizations regarding the role and impact of such requirements.

Supporters of ending the policy said the previous rules added administrative complexity and limited the pool of eligible bidders for public projects. Several board members argued that removing the requirements could streamline contracting, reduce costs, and allow more businesses—particularly smaller firms without dedicated compliance teams—to compete for regional work.

Opponents have expressed concern that the change may diminish opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises. They noted that the requirements were originally adopted to help ensure broader participation in publicly funded projects and to address longstanding disparities in access to government contracts. Some community representatives urged the board to consider alternative measures that would continue promoting inclusion without imposing mandates.

Across the country, other local and regional agencies that receive federal funding have begun revisiting or removing their own diversity requirements as the incoming Trump administration signals shifts in civil rights enforcement and federal oversight. Some agencies cite uncertainty about future regulations and legal interpretations as a reason for reexamining long-standing mandates, while others say they aim to align their policies with what they anticipate will be a changing federal landscape.

SANDAG officials emphasized that the vote does not prohibit the agency from encouraging diversity through voluntary programs or outreach efforts. Staff members reported that they will review existing practices and explore options for maintaining equitable access to contracting opportunities while aligning with the board’s direction.

The policy change is expected to take effect in the coming months as staff updates procurement guidelines. Additional reports on the impacts of the shift may be presented to the board in future meetings.