Huber Heights receives final culture and diversity assessment with implementation recommendations

The Huber Heights City Council on July 8 received the final Culture and Diversity Community Assessment and planning document from Rhema Consulting, which lays out priorities and concrete steps for improving inclusion, outreach and collaboration across the city.

The assessment culminates more than a year of interviews, focus groups, surveys and community planning sessions. Mo Wright of Rhema Consulting said the plan is intended as a “living framework” with short‑term and longer‑term options the city can adopt according to available resources.

Wright told council the report contains recommendations in five priority areas: strengthening community inclusion and access; improving communication and connectivity; supporting growth and development with equity in mind; investing in youth and education; and strengthening inclusive governance and community safety. He said much of the work described is practical and described items such as translation on city web pages, a one‑stop information hub, neighborhood liaison roles, public mapping of infrastructure projects and partnerships with regional organizations.

Council members praised the scope of the work and asked for supporting data. Councilmember Katie Baker asked about survey timing and response counts; Wright said the survey had been open through the end of the year and that the assessment report and underlying metrics are included in the packet. Councilmember Nancy (surname not given) and others asked how the city should move from plan to implementation; Wright and Deputy participants said the next step is prioritization and creation of a work plan, likely led or guided by the existing Culture and Diversity Committee and other community partners.

Several council members noted items in the plan are already under way, and City Manager John Russell said staff will post the plan and supporting materials on the city’s culture and diversity page to make them easier to find. Wright emphasized that some recommendations are low‑cost “low hanging fruit,” while others will require staffing or partner involvement.

Council discussion covered measurement and next steps: Wright said the assessment report contains demographic and participation data and that additional geographic detail (for example ZIP code breakdowns) can be provided if available, but that much of the feedback was qualitative and city‑wide rather than neighborhood‑specific. Mayor and council members suggested the Culture and Diversity Committee or a designated work group develop a prioritized implementation roadmap and metrics for regular reporting.

The consultant closed by urging sustained resident engagement and partnership with public and private organizations. Council did not take a formal vote on the plan during the work session; staff and council said the document would be available online and that follow‑up implementation planning would be the council’s next step.

The plan and the assessment report will be posted on the city’s packet and the Culture and Diversity page for public review, officials said.