Local businesses competing for county contracts will get a little bonus as the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to raise the local bid preference to 8 percent.

Small businesses based in Los Angeles County are currently eligible for a 5 percent bid price reduction when they bid on county contracts. For example, a local company could submit a bid for county work that was 4 percent higher than an out-of-county bidder, but the local bid would be considered superior.

“Our action today will help small vendors who want to do business with the county and we’re going to see them get more contracts,” said County Supervisor Don Knabe. “This supports small businesses, encourages them to hire more employees and boosts our local economy.”