Agenda - 09-09-2004 - 10b - Laserfiche WebLink

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t "It is the purpose of this Ordinance and the policy of Orange County to promote the equal treatment of all individuals; to prohibit discrimination in Orange County based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familiar status, and veteran status; to protect resident's lawful interests and their personal dignity so as to make available to the County their full protective and creative capacities, and to prevent public and domestic strife, crime and unrest within Orange County. It is the further purpose of this Ordinance to carry out in Orange County the policies provided for in the various federal rules, regulations, and laws prohibiting discrimination in, among other areas, housing, employment and public accommodations." The County in February 1996 was awarded a contract from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and became certified as a Fair Employment Practices Agency (FEPA), meaning any employment discrimination complaint covered by the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance could be deferred to the Human Rights and Relations Department for investigation. In August that same year, the Department was certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a "substantially equivalent" Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), which similarly allowed Human Rights and Relations to investigate housing discrimination complaints. Because of these agreements, Human Rights and Relations had the ability to generate offsetting Federal funding for every case closed. (At one point Federal reimbursements were as high as 63% of the Departmental operating budget; in recent years revenue has leveled at about 25%.) In November 2000, the Human Rights and Relations was enjoined from conducting employment investigations and by June 2003, the employment section of the Orange County Civil Rights Ordinance had been declared unconstitutional by the IVC Supreme Court in its decision in Williams v. Blue Cross Blue Shield v. Orange County. The County Attorney informed the BOCC during the spring and fall of 2003 of his initial review and assessment of the Court's decision and its impact on the Ordinance via confidential memoranda. Since 2000, the Human Rights and Relations Department has continued to receive and investigate fair housing cases and re- focused its efforts on proactive prevention and referral to the Raleigh office of EEOC all employment cases. The purpose of the Memorandum and Report attached is to provide the BOCC with a comprehensive review of how the Department of Human Rights and Relations has evolved through the years in response to a changing legal, cultural and social environment -from an emphasis on investigation and enforcement to preventive education, outreach, and consultation. The Report also presents an overview of the Departmental staffing structure - how positions are currently being utilized and the restructuring envisioned to better effect a redefined plan for functions and responsibilities. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the receipt of this Report. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board provide feedback and direction as may be desired on the Report on Functions and Responsibilities of the Human Rights and Relations Department.