Sioux City Council dissolves Inclusive Sioux City advisory committee, reclassifies DEI coordinator citing risk to federal funding

The Sioux City Council voted to dissolve the Inclusive Sioux City Advisory Committee, reclassify the city's diversity and inclusion coordinator to a human resources specialist and rescind the city's inclusive language notice during its May 5 meeting, citing warnings that failure to comply with federal guidance could cost the city transportation and housing grants.

Council members and dozens of residents debated the changes for more than an hour, with speakers from local civil-rights groups urging the council to preserve the advisory committee and the city's inclusive-language statement. Supporters of the council's action said the step was intended to protect federal funding the city depends on for transit and housing programs.

The vote followed lengthy public comment from community leaders and residents who said the changes would undermine trust and progress on equity. Monique Scarlet, who identified herself as president of the Sioux City chapter of the NAACP and of Unity in the Community, told the council, "When people see that their voice no longer matters and the city starts to become silent, then that says that we're no longer…