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Bend updates equity and accessibility work; consultant hired to review next equity leader role
Summary
City staff told the Human Rights and Equity Commission that the city's equity, inclusion and accessibility work is continuing and that a consultant will analyze the city's equity structure to recommend the next equity leadership post. The AIM equity tool, a language-access program and procurement outreach were highlighted as active efforts.
City staff told the Human Rights and Equity Commission on Oct. 29 that Bend is moving forward with a range of equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives while commissioning an outside analysis to shape the city's next equity leader position.
"Our commitment to this work has not wavered," Assistant City Manager Stephanie Betteridge said during a presentation reviewing council goals and ongoing programs. She said the work spans external community partnerships, internal workforce efforts and accessibility improvements.
Staff described five areas of activity: a language-access program that identifies Spanish and American Sign Language as priority languages for premium pay to qualified employees; deployment of the AIM equity tool with a planned AIM "navigator" role to help staff apply the tool; supplier-diversity outreach and state-level procurement advocacy; expanding accessibility efforts including a website redesign and regular training; and internal hiring and employee-support initiatives that are being integrated across city departments.
City attorney Ian Lighthizer explained that equity work is continuing alongside legal matters the city has joined at the federal level, and he described the city's ongoing legal posture in those suits.
The city also introduced Ben Duncan, a consultant with Kearns & West, who will conduct an equity-structure analysis to recommend how Bend should organize and staff an equity leadership position going forward. "It is my hope to have enough understanding of history and folks' experience to ensure that the future really lifts up what has worked and really seeks to avoid what hasn't," Duncan said.
Staff described recent operational changes: AIM has been piloted in growth-planning work; language-access resources are live and being staffed; and procurement outreach includes collaborations with local groups to lower barriers for marginalized vendors. Stephanie told commissioners that the city conducted a citywide equity training and is developing data indicators to integrate into routine decisionmaking.
Staff said they will continue returning to the commission with specific updates, and that Duncan will meet with staff and commissioners while he is in Bend to gather input and refine recommendations.
