Orange Park's Economic and Community Development Committee will review a draft policy Thursday, Sept. 17, that could give local businesses preference when bidding on town contracts.

The committee meets at 5:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 2042 Park Ave. Members will also take up a related challenge: how to market the town's vacant commercial buildings to prospective tenants.

Both topics have been in the works since at least June 4. The local bidder preference discussion picked up speed at the committee's Aug. 6 meeting, when members voted 4-0 to direct staff to draft a formal framework, according to draft minutes from that session.

The motion, introduced by committee Chairman and Vice-Mayor Doug Benefield, asked staff to define what qualifies as a "local business," propose a preference percentage with a dollar cap, set an applicability threshold and build in an annual reporting requirement. The framework must also exclude any project funded with state or federal dollars, consistent with Florida Statute 255.0991, which bars local governments from favoring hometown contractors on state-funded construction work.

The committee's recommendation will then go to the Policies and Procedures Committee.

Committee members discussed a tiered system that could offer a stronger preference to businesses within Orange Park and a smaller one to businesses elsewhere in Clay County. Methods on the table included a percentage adjustment on bid evaluations and a bid-match window that would let a local company stay competitive even if its price came in slightly higher.

Councilman Ken Vogel raised concerns at the Aug. 6 meeting that some local businesses may not know about available town procurement opportunities. He pushed for better outreach, updated procurement software and improved website visibility.

The Sept. 17 agenda also lists "Discussion on Marketing Vacant Buildings" under old business. The item's title marks a shift from earlier agendas, which used the phrase "Vacant Building Ordinance." At the Aug. 6 meeting, committee members emphasized that any approach should serve as an inventory and economic development tool, not a punitive measure against property owners.

The town has no system for it now.

"There is currently no formal system tracking every vacant property within the Town," Economic and Community Development Director Stephen Smith told the committee at the Aug. 6 meeting.

Ideas discussed at that session included temporary window displays, local artwork installations and other improvements to keep vacant storefronts from looking neglected. The committee also explored ways to connect empty properties with prospective businesses.

Staff will present a project tracking update at the Sept. 17 meeting. The agenda includes a public comment period. The committee's next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, at 5:30 p.m.