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Commissioners debate $9,550 DEI consulting extension as county seeks to rebrand training
Summary
A proposed $9,550 change order to continue consulting with Hicks Carter Hicks prompted an extended debate over the county's DEI program and whether to rebrand training toward 'respect, belonging and inclusion.' Supporters said the work would help onboard new DEI council members and reframe materials; opponents called the program a failed experiment.
A modest contract change — $9,550 for additional on-site facilitation and up to 15 hours of consulting with Hicks Carter Hicks — produced one of the meeting’s most pointed exchanges. Purchasing staff described the item as a change order to continue transition work and to assist new members of the DEI council; county officials said the effort was intended to rebrand training away from politically fraught terminology toward a focus on respect, belonging and inclusion.
Opponents, including Commissioner Howe and Commissioner Howell, criticized the training's value and national connotations. Commissioner Howe said the program had not delivered value for the investment and argued for a different approach: "I think it's time to say it's it's a failed program and we can do better." Assistant County Manager Tony Cole and other staff said the consultant would help reframe materials to the county’s needs and support onboarding for new council members. After discussion and a roll-call vote, the board approved the change order with one commissioner recorded as opposing the measure.
