FY2024 Proposed Budget

Human Rights The Office of Equity & Human Rights enforces the antidiscrimination laws for the City, investigates complaints alleging discrimination here in Iowa City and serves as staff to the Human Rights Commission and the Ad Hoc Truth and Reconciliation Commission. General Fund Activities:  The Human Rights Office enforces the anti-discrimination laws for the City and receives, investigates and makes probable cause decisions on complaints alleging unlawful discrimination in the areas of education, credit, housing, employment, and public accommodation based upon the following characteristics: age, color, creed, disability, familial status, gender identity, marital status, national origin, presence or absence of dependents, public assistance source of income, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. The Office also provides trainings to the community on unlawful discrimination, Iowa’s civil rights history, and on advancing racial equity within municipal government.  The Black Lives Matter activity accounts for funds allocated by City Council in June 16, 2020 City Council passed Resolution 20-159, outlining 17 actions to be taken by the City to address the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and systemic racism. One of the action items included committing $1,000,000 to local efforts promoting racial equity and social justice including development of a new affordable housing plan and the creation of an Ad Hoc Truth & Reconciliation Commission to carry out restorative justice. 1. Disseminating information to educate the public on illegal discrimination and civil rights, such as organizing and facilitating educational public forums that address one or more of the broad range of topics included within the rubric of human rights 2. Making recommendations to the City Council for such further legislation concerning discrimination as it may deem necessary and desirable 3. Cooperating within the limits of any appropriations made for its operation with other agencies or organizations both public and private whose purposes are not inconsistent with those of Title 2 of the City Code (Human Rights Ordinance) 4. Planning programs and activities designed to eliminate racial, religious, cultural and other intergroup tensions including but not limited to sex, color, creed, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age and national origin. Recent Accomplishments:  Municipal Equality Index perfect score for 9 th year in a row, implemented a pilot for board and commission members on an Intercultural Development Inventory, and the second successful year of community equity, inclusion, and belonging monthly series . Boards and Commissions: The Human Rights commission’s duties include:

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