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Office of Equity, Belonging & Inclusion outlines language-access and workforce-data work as 2026 budget tightens
Summary
Ben Tapper told the committee the small Office of Equity, Belonging & Inclusion will see a modest $35,000 cut in 2026 and will focus on expanding enterprise training, rolling out language-access services, improving demographic data collection and supporting maternal-health partnerships.
Ben Tapper, chief diversity and equity officer for the City of Indianapolis, briefed the Administration & Finance Committee on the Office of Equity, Belonging & Inclusion—s work and proposed 2026 budget.
Tapper said the office has four staff and that the 2026 budget will decrease by about $35,000, primarily from reductions in character-3 professional-development and consultant spending. He emphasized that most of the office—s work is internal-facing: expanding equity trainings (about 270 city employees trained so far this year); launching a language-access program; and improving enterprise demographic data collection to capture more nuanced race, ethnicity, gender-identity and country-of-origin information.
Tapper said the office is partnering with health providers and organizations (including a newly launched maternal-health collaborative referenced as "Bridal Indie" supported by IU Health) to share data and coordinate maternal-health outcomes work aimed at reducing infant mortality.
Councilors asked about advertising and uptake of the language-access program, outreach to communities with limited English proficiency, and engagement with disability service groups and vendor-access programs (XBE). Tapper said he would provide usage numbers for language access and will reengage with the mayor—s advocacy council on disabilities and with the Office of Minority and Women Business Development to explore expanded vendor opportunities.
The committee thanked Tapper for the presentation and asked for follow-up on metrics and outreach.
