SALT LAKE CITY — A Salt Lake County councilwoman voted against a measure that would prioritize giving county contracts to businesses owned by minorities and women.
Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton says, “Institutionalizing the practice of treating some business owners better or worse than others, purely by virtue of their skin color or gender, is fundamentally wrong.”
On her Facebook page, Newton added Salt Lake County government should spend taxpayer dollars on contracts with the best businesses at the lowest prices.
The county already gives priority for contracts for businesses who hire veterans and offer employee benefits.
The County Council approved the measure, 5-3, and County Mayor Ben McAdams supports it.