Title
Resolution to Endorse the Reallocation of Funds within the General Fund to Support a More Robust Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program in the City of Ann Arbor
Memorandum
The Acting City Administrator is requesting City Council’s endorsement for the reallocation of the Community Engagement Specialist position within the Systems Planning Unit of the Public Service Area to the Office of the City Administrator. The Community Engagement position; as well as, a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator position were both newly added positions with the approval of the Resolution to Adopt Ann Arbor City Budget and Related Property Tax Millage Rates for Fiscal Year 2022 (R-21-174) that was approved by City Council on May 17, 2021.
Community Engagement is an integral part of government operations and is a community and City Council priority. A position was added during the approval of the FY 2022 Budget to allow for increased community engagement efforts with a focus on equitable engagement work. In an effort to align this work with the City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, it is recommended that the position be moved from the Systems Planning Unit of the Public Services Area to the City Administrator’s Office and report to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator.
This is being done as part of a wider effort to empower DEI work in the City of Ann Arbor. The City is currently re-drafting the job description for the DEI Coordinator to upgrade the position, and the Acting City Administrator will also be making part of the administrator’s contingency available for use to procure external DEI consulting and training resources.
Notably, this is not a budget amendment in the traditional sense because the funds being reassigned to these efforts are all already budgeted within the City’s general fund. However, City staff are requesting the City Council’s endorsement of these actions to create a clear endorsement of an improved and more ambitious DEI program in the City of Ann Arbor.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: Funding for the position ($110,888) was included in the approved FY 22 Systems’ Planning General Fund operations and maintenance budget. With the approval of the reallocation of the position, the funding will be in the City Administrator’s General Fund Operations and Maintenance Budgets as a recurring general fund operating cost. No additional funding is required
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Acting City Administrator
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Acting City Administrator
Approved by: John Fournier, Acting City Administrator
Body
Whereas, A Community Engagement Specialist and a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator positions were added with the Approval of the FY 2022 City of Ann Arbor Budget;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor is committed to developing, implementing, and advancing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program;
Whereas, Recurring funding is available in the approved FY22 general fund Systems’ Planning Operations and Maintenance Budget;
RESOLVED, That City Council endorses the reallocation of Community Engagement Specialist position within the Systems Planning Unit of the Public Service Area to the Office of the City Administrator;
RESOLVED, That the City Council endorses the creation of a more engaged and robust diversity, equity, and inclusion program within the City of Ann Arbor; and
RESOLVED, That Council authorizes the City Administrator to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.