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Council advances first reading to reclassify mayor’s DEI/training post to community engagement role amid staffing debate
Summary
Council heard first reading of an ordinance (64-25) to reclassify a mayoral position from a DEI/training coordinator to a community engagement and accessibility coordinator. Members discussed the reclassification and whether city resources should prioritize retaining grant-funded firefighters once federal funding ends.
Council considered a first reading Monday for Ordinance 64-25, which replaces the mayor’s “DEI/training coordinator” position with a “community engagement and accessibility coordinator” title and updated duties. Member Reisner read the ordinance language during the meeting.
Supporters described the change as a reclassification rather than a new hire. Member Spieltjes relayed correspondence from community mediator John Schmeeding endorsing the role as vital to city–community partnerships and continuity after Ohio University’s cutbacks in DEI programming. “I want to express my strong belief that this position is crucial for the city at this time,” the mediator wrote, as reported by Spieltjes.
Some council members said they worried about budget trade-offs. Member Swank said he was “laboring” with the choice because grant-funded firefighter positions will end when the federal grant expires, and he contrasted keeping public-safety headcount with creating or reclassifying a mayoral position. Member Klockfelter countered that the reclassification does not add staff and that the budget lines are not identical across departments; the mayor reiterated the aim to have a dedicated public-facing staffer experienced in connecting residents with services.
Council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at the meeting; the matter remains at first reading and will return for further consideration as budget and staffing discussions continue.
