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Office of Equity & Inclusion outlines services, fundraising shortfall; council directs review of Ward D funds
Summary
The Office of Equity & Inclusion reported program outcomes, funding constraints and community partnerships; council directed the city manager to evaluate remaining Ward D 'gets lit' funds and return with a recommendation and legal analysis by the first March meeting.
Yolanda Johnson, representing the Office of Equity and Inclusion and Empowerment, updated council on departmental programs and finances on Feb. 16. She said the office currently operates on approximately $350,000 of general funds after CDBG, ESG, and ARPA funds expired, described rapid rehousing and financial‑literacy programs, and noted outcomes including housing retention and program participation. Johnson said the office had secured roughly $45,000 in sponsorships from an empowerment gala and cited 92% six‑month housing retention and other partner‑delivered services.
Councilmember Martin Rogers moved to transfer remaining funds from a Ward D 'gets lit' line item to the Office of Equity & Inclusion; after council and city attorney discussion about the formality required for a budget amendment, Councilmember Hemming offered a substitute motion directing the city manager to evaluate the remaining funds and return with a recommendation at the first regular March meeting and to assess the legality of using available funds; the city attorney’s friendly amendment to evaluate any gratuity clauses and legal limits was added. The substitute motion passed by voice vote.
The motion does not itself reallocate funds; it directs staff to analyze account balances, legal constraints, and to prepare any necessary ordinance or budget amendment with a recommended path for council consideration.
