Director Jason Jenkins presented the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s 2025 operating proposal, describing it as a historically large but tight budget focused on personnel, community programs and procurement equity.

Jenkins and staff reported several 2024 outcomes: a 4.4% increase in spending with minority and women‑owned businesses from Q2 2023 to Q2 2024; a 69.2% increase in certified vendors year‑over‑year; and an increase in participation goal dollars set for projects from about $61.1 million in 2023 to approximately $167.8 million in 2024. The office said it will release further quarterly data in March 2025.

For 2025 the office proposed an operating budget of $2,460,249, with roughly 75% allocated to personnel and a plan to add three full‑time equivalent staff. Jenkins asked council for $250,000 in new funding to finish an updated disparity study, which he said the office expects to complete in 2026 and to present to council for adoption. Jenkins said the disparity study helps the city measure program effectiveness, identify recommendations (including mentoring and market programs), and “hold ourselves accountable as a city.”

The office also requested $100,000 to support small businesses moving through the pipeline toward becoming prime contractors (a partnership with the Department of Finance), increased funding for youth entrepreneurship and employee resource groups, and investments in language access and DEI professional services. Jenkins said the office has restarted B2G Now (a procurement tracking platform) to monitor diversity metrics in contracting.

Council members asked about codifying the disparity‑study update schedule; Council Member Bankston noted the change to Title 39 that requires updates every three years and praised the office’s emphasis on measurable outcomes. Several council members framed the office’s work as intentional investments to expand opportunity and create generational wealth for historically underserved communities.