Orange County NC Website
19 <br />1 <br />In addition to the core functions the department previously provided, the director <br />• <br />2 <br />of the department would be designated as the Civil Rights Compliance Officer for <br />3 <br />the County. <br />4 <br />The Civil Rights Compliance Officer would coordinate the County's efforts to <br />• <br />5 <br />comply with its civil rights obligations under federal and state law. <br />6 <br />•Annette Moore, who has considerable experience in this area, will assume leadership of <br />7 <br />the new department and continue as a Staff Attorney on a part-time basis. <br />8 <br />•In addition, the Department staffing model will be maintained with a civil rights specialist, <br />9 <br />an intake specialist anda Limited English Proficiency Specialist/ Outreach Coordinator. <br />10 <br />11 <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT <br />12 <br />•There is currently a budget from the general fund in addition to FHAP funds assigned to <br />13 <br />the Human Rights Division. <br />14 <br />•The department director's salary and benefits would be evenly divided between the <br />15 <br />County Attorney's Office and the Department of Human Rights and Relations. <br />16 <br />•There is an increased cost of approximately $46,000 to maintain capacity in the County <br />17 <br />Attorney’s office and compensation for additional responsibilities. <br />18 <br />•A budget amendment with the changes will be presented for your consideration at the <br />19 <br />December 12th meeting for Board consideration. <br />20 <br />21 <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />22 <br />1)Approve the new organizational structure creating the Department of Human Rights and <br />23 <br />Relations as a separate independent department; <br />24 <br />2)Change the name of the Department of Housing Human Rights and Community <br />25 <br />Development to the Department of Housing and Community Development; <br />26 <br />3)Authorize the Director of Human Rights and Relations to enforce the Civil Rights <br />27 <br />Ordinance; <br />28 <br />4)Amend the Bylaws of the Human Relations Commission to reflect the changes created <br />29 <br />by the reorganization as provided in Attachment 2; and <br />30 <br />5)Make these changes effective December 5, 2017. <br />31 <br />32 <br />Chair Dorosin asked if thecore functions of HRR will be the enforcement of the Civil <br />33 <br />Rights Ordinance, which currently only covers the Fair Housing Act. <br />34 <br />Annette Moore said the Civil Rights Ordinance covers civil rights, employment,and <br />35 <br />public accommodations. She said the County can no longer do employment, and the public <br />36 <br />accommodations areshaky, and generally only the fair housing portion is enforceable. <br />37 <br />Chair Dorosin askedJohn Roberts ifthe ordinance still saysemployment, and if it does <br />38 <br />should the BOCC consider its removal. <br />39 <br />John Roberts said yes, the ordinancedoesstill say employment,and if the Board of <br />40 <br />County Commissioners wants to remove this wording, it can do so. <br />41 <br />Chair Dorosin referred to the financial impact, and asked if the reason for the increase in <br />42 <br />the salary could be identified. <br />43 <br />Bonnie Hammersley said that is a reclassification of a current attorney to a staff <br />44 <br />attorney, which is an upgrade of the position. <br />45 <br />Chair Dorosin asked if this is in addition to Ms. Moore, who will still be in the County <br />46 <br />Attorney’s office half time. <br />47 <br />Chair Dorosin said that $46,000 includes both increases: upgrading the attorney position <br />48 <br />and additional responsibilities that Ms. Moore has in the Attorney’s office. <br />49 <br />Bonnie Hammersley said yes, and this information will be outlined in the budget <br />th <br />50 <br />amendment on December 12. <br /> <br />