DEPARTMENT: Office of Equity
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alex Lopez (Equity)
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Update on the implementation of the City's equity strategy and FY 2019 Office of Equity work plan
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the Office of Equity and its FY 2019 Strategy.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2015, the Diversity and Inclusion Office was created to foster an inclusive culture across the organization and serve as a clearinghouse for Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) complaints. The scope of the office was expanded in late 2016 to promote equity in the development and implementation of City policies, programs, and services.
The scope of the office was then expanded to promote equity in the development and implementation of City processes in late 2016. In 2017, a pilot initiative training six departments on equity began and by June 2017 the City Council provided policy direction to develop the FY 2018 budget using an equity lens.
The FY 2018 Budget increased funding for streets maintenance by $35 million from $64 to $99 million. Instead of dividing the funds by 10 as has been done historically-roughly equal parts for each City Council District- funding was allocated by beginning to consider the different needs of the City of San Antonio population.
With over 4,000 street lane miles in San Antonio, a goal was by the City Council to achieve an average condition index of 70 -on a scale of 1 to 100 - for all streets in San Antonio. This is how equity begins-as an allocation in our budget, as a delivery of a City service. Equity is achieved when outcomes shift community results.
In 2018, an additional 100 staff from Transportation and Capital Improvements, Neighborhood Housing Services, Planning, Budget, Innovation, and ITSD were trained on how to apply an equity impact assessment. In the summer of 2018, 120 staff also received introductory equity training to apply an equity approach to budget changes recommended for FY 2019.
Our equi...
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