Topeka committee pares affirmative-action language in anti-discrimination ordinance and forwards draft to governing body

The Topeka City Policy and Finance Committee voted unanimously June 10 to send a revised anti‑discrimination ordinance to the governing body for consideration at its June 17 meeting, saying the changes are intended to align the city code with recent Supreme Court rulings and federal grant certification requirements.

The committee chair, Chairman Jared, told members the committee’s work was focused on updating the city ordinance to avoid jeopardizing federal grant funding and to reflect legal developments. “This is not a final decision by any means; this will still go back to the governing body for further discussion, consideration, passage or non passage,” he said.

Committee members and the city attorney outlined two aims behind the draft: first, remove or narrow provisions that the federal government now views as impermissible affirmative‑action mandates; second, preserve equal‑opportunity language and non‑mandatory tracking so the city can continue monitoring applicant and contractor…