Council moves to align Title VI language with state directive; staff to update training

The Algood City Council approved a clerical change to its Title VI nondiscrimination policy and instructed staff to update training for both new and current employees to reflect a state directive, City Manager Keith Morrison said.

Morrison explained that two separate presidential executive orders had altered language the city previously referenced and that removing those references would bring the city into compliance without altering the substance of its nondiscrimination plan. "It would put us in compliance with that directive without changing the essence of our plan at all," Morrison said. He told the council the city would change onboarding training and prepare supplemental training for current staff; he indicated the process would begin immediately should the council approve the change.

Council discussion framed the item as clerical and compliance-focused rather than substantive policy change. The council moved, seconded and took a voice vote recorded in the transcript as assent; Mr. Morrison said staff would begin updating training materials and deliver supplemental training to existing employees.

The change was described as administrative: removing references to prior executive orders and updating training to satisfy a state agency directive while maintaining existing Title VI obligations. The council did not discuss changes to programmatic requirements or enforcement; Mr. Morrison explicitly said the operational obligations of the Title VI plan would remain in place. The council also handled several routine agenda items that evening, including votes on other ordinances and departmental reports.