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Valparaiso council approves ordinance restructuring Human Relations Council, drops 'advisory' label
Summary
The Valparaiso Common Council approved Ordinance 8-20-25 to change appointment authority for the Human Relations Council and remove the word "advisory" from its name; the measure passed 5-2 after several council members debated separation of powers and the council's role.
The Valparaiso Common Council approved Ordinance 8-20-25, a second-reading ordinance that changes how members of the city's Human Relations Council are appointed and removes the word "advisory" from the body's name. The measure passed on final vote by a 5-2 tally.
Councilwoman Hunt, who led the ordinance presentation, said the changes create a “more balanced structure with appointments made by both the city council and the mayor — 6 by the council, 3 by the mayor” and that removing "advisory" signals the council should be "recognized as a public facing body that serves as a bridge between residents and your city government." Hunt called the revision part of a long-term effort to ensure the Human Relations Council remains "inclusive, respectful, and equitable" for Valparaiso residents.
Opposition centered on the question of executive-versus-legislative roles. Mayor Costas said the current advisory structure had been effective as a mayoral advisory body tied to the delivery of city services and warned the ordinance shifts responsibilities toward the council. "The council essentially enacts ordinances, and it has fiscal oversight. The mayor's office is in charge of the delivery of all city services overseeing 400 employees, and essentially the daily operations," he said, adding that the existing advisory relationship allowed the mayor's office to get early input on issues that affect service delivery.
Other council members said the ordinance is meant to foster shared governance and prevent unilateral control of appointments. Supporters argued shared appointment authority would increase diversity of perspective and strengthen checks and balances; opponents said the change could complicate assignment of tasks and blur the line between policy oversight and administration.
The ordinance text, read aloud during the meeting, amends Valparaiso municipal code sections 38.01, 38.02, 38.03 and 38.04 concerning the establishment of the Human Relations Council. The final roll call recorded five votes in favor and two opposed; the council declared the ordinance adopted.
The ordinance does not change the stated mission or charge of the Human Relations Council, according to council members who spoke, nor did speakers describe immediate funding changes tied to the shift in appointment authority. Several members said the council can revisit the structure if implementation shows problems.
