Government Operations committee moves to enshrine Burlington’s Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in city charter

The Government Operations committee considered H.956 on May 8, a bill to amend the City of Burlington charter to formally establish an Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and a director position that would report to the mayor and be subject to city council orders. The committee heard testimony from Legislative Council, Burlington officials and the office’s director before moving to report the measure favorably.

Sophie Stani of Legislative Council summarized the proposed charter language, saying the amendment would add a section creating a permanent director-led office, require hiring under the city’s human-resources policies, and give the director authority to develop and implement a comprehensive racial equity, inclusion and belonging strategy for the city. "The city of Burlington shall form the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and establish a director," Stani said while reviewing the bill text.

Kelly Perkins, identified as the director of Burlington’s Office of Racial Equity,…