HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-28-24 Public Comment - D. Hess - Support for funding Equity & Inclusion Program CoordinatorFrom:Dani Hess
To:Terry Cunningham; Joey Morrison; Jennifer Madgic; Douglas Fischer; Emma Bode; Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Support for funding Equity & Inclusion Program Coordinator
Date:Tuesday, June 25, 2024 1:56:06 PM
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Dear Bozeman City Commissioners,
I understand that this input is coming to you past the deadline for public comment but Iwanted to share it with you in hopes you catch a glimpse before tonight's meeting. As apast staff member of the City of Bozeman and having co-led the development of the
city’s Belonging in Bozeman Plan, I am urging you to fund the Equity & Inclusion
Program Coordinator position. Following through on the commitments the city has
made to Bozeman residents and partner organizations relies on a dedicated
professional with experience and knowledge in equitable policy development and
program implementation.
Staff and leadership across city departments are working hard to run their existingprograms and cannot be tasked with orchestrating the implementation of the Belongingin Bozeman Plan in addition to their other duties. Staff burnout and turnover will onlycontinue as city employees are overloaded with new and existing initiatives on top ofthe workload of delivering high quality services that residents expect. A point person is
essential to effective implementation to train, support, and work alongside staff across
the organization as well as with external partners.
For three years, the City Commission named equity and inclusion as one of their
strategic priorities through commitments to CEDAW and the Inclusive City Report and
Recommendations that built the foundation for the Belonging in Bozeman Plan. The
next step is to maintain the trust built with residents and partner organizations and hirea dedicated staff person to lead this process of continuous integration of equity into theservices that the city provides.
Below are the recommendations in the plan (pg 65) that prioritize this new staff
position: Community Safety & Civic Health - Goal 1, Recommendation 1.
As Bozeman grows and demands on staff time, city resources, and residential property
tax bills continue to intensify, I urge you to fund the priorities and initiatives that
community members have spent countless hours to help shape and this Commission
has already committed to. Thank you for your thoughtful deliberation and for your
service to Bozeman residents.
Respectfully,
Dani Hess
Helena, MT