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DOA outlines steps, timeline to support newly independent Equity and Wellness departments
Summary
The Department of Administration told the committee it is coordinating payroll, contracts and federal grant adjustments to stand up the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Office of Community Wellness & Safety as independent departments, but warned that the December pay‑period crossover makes a January 1 bundle difficult and recommended an ordinance cleanup.
The committee considered a resolution directing city departments to provide administrative support to two newly created departments: the Office of Community Wellness and Safety (OCWS) and the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI). Alderman Scott Speicher sponsored the resolution after the budget moved staff and confirmation authority for those offices.
Acting DOA Director Steve Mahan described intensive cross‑departmental work already underway. DOA is coordinating with Department of Employee Relations on reclassifications, with the Comptroller's Office on payroll and accounting codes, with Purchasing and Grants Administration on contract amendments (including federally required authorized representative changes), and with the City Clerk on language and file updates. Mahan emphasized the timing challenge created by the pay‑period crossover (final 2025 pay period ends Dec. 20 / first 2026 pay period begins Dec. 21), calling January 1 a "false start" date for operational independence because accruals and contract amendments must be processed.
Mahan said the departments will likely rely on temporary MOUs and loaned staff from other offices while they build independent back‑office capacity, and that a drafted ordinance will be necessary to reflect the budget action in the city code and to help federal grant administrators accept the new organizational names. He told the committee a formal "needs statement" will return with any request for permanent positions or resources that must be considered in the next budget.
Aldermen raised questions about timing, physical office locations and whether administrative functions (payroll, copier charges, shared services) will be carved out by MOUs or require separate hires. Committee members and administration agreed to continue working offline to refine the ordinance language and the transition timeline; the committee approved the adoption motion for the file during the meeting.
The DOA said it will return with the drafted ordinance and any requests for supplemental staffing or temporary service agreements as implementation details are finalized.
