Small business program reports it's doing well

CLOVIS — The Small Business Development Center at Clovis Community College is going strong, according to a presentation at Wednesday’s CCC Board of Trustees meeting.

During the SBDC program review, an annual requirement for each of CCC’s grant funded programs, Business Advisor Dominique Chairez told the board about the number of services the center provides to its clients including loan proposals, tax education and growth plan management.

“We strive to develop skilled entrepreneurs and strong businesses and we do that with the support of our core values, that being client-centric, having integrity, being professional and working as a team,” Chairez said.

According to the presentation, since 1998 the SBDC at CCC has provided individual counseling to 3,561 clients, conducted 515 business workshops and assisted 188 entrepreneurs open their business.

Board member Raymond Mondragon thanked the staff members at the SBDC for the work they do.

Also at Wednesday’s meeting:

• The board unanimously approved the list of fees for the 2018 summer and fall semesters.

Three existing fees were raised. The fee for Automotive HVAC Lab went from $50 to $70, the fee for Esthetic Facials I went from $1,400 to $1,450 and the fee for First Aid and CPR went from $6 to $25.

New fees were introduced for EMS Testing ($30), Physical Geology and Lab ($15), Nursing Kit — Semester 1 ($140), PTA Testing ($30) and Phlebotomy Theory ($90).

• The board unanimously approved a proposal to increase procurement thresholds.

“It’s going to make it easier and more efficient to get things done and conduct business in a timely manner across the campus, so I think it’s warranted,” Chief Financial Officer Tom Drake said.

Under the new thresholds for tangible items and contractual services CCC must obtain one written quote for purchases between $5,000 and $10,000 and three written quotes for purchases between $10,000.01 and $40,000.

Previously three quotes were required for purchases between $5,000 and $39,999.99.

Under the new thresholds for professional services CCC must obtain one written quote for purchases under $10,000 and three written quotes for purchases between $10,000 and $50,000 for architects and engineers and between $10,000 and $60,000 for all other professional services, excluding landscape architects and surveyors.

Previously three quotes were required for all professional services purchases between $5,000 and $59,999.99.

The thresholds were last increased in 2009.