QUESTION
What are the plans for addressing the Equal Employment Practices Commission's (EEPC) staffing and budget issues?
3:20:04
·
123 sec
Budget Director Jiha signals a willingness to collaborate with the council on potential staffing and budget enhancements for EEPC if required.
- Budget concerns and the need for additional staffing at EEPC are acknowledged amidst discussions about its ability to meet charter mandates with current resources.
- Council Member Williams points out the legislative burdens placed on EEPC and its historical struggles with inadequate funding and staffing.
- A specific need mentioned is the hiring of a part-time General Counsel with a budget increase of $64,000 to address these challenges.
- Jiha expresses openness to future collaboration with the council to explore solutions for EEPC's staffing and funding issues, depending on evolving conditions.
Nantasha Williams
3:20:04
Similar with the Equal Employment Practices, commissions, headcount, 2025 budget is $1,200,000 of 12 full time budget positions.
3:20:13
And since last year, EEPC has requested an additional 17 head count, yet the November plan included a peg saving of $64,000.
3:20:24
I know we like to say drop in the bucket about 1,000,000, but this is $64,000 to EEPC's budget, and the preliminary plan does not include increases to the agency's staffing level.
3:20:37
So Again, we'd love to know if there's any plan to increase EEPC headcount in the executive plan and how many head counts will be added.
Jacques Jiha
3:20:47
Again, I hear you.
3:20:49
I know it's small, but it will then contribute to the big picture, to the big challenge that we have to deal with.
3:20:55
And as I said earlier, if conditions warrant, we will work with the council and see what can be done.
Nantasha Williams
3:21:02
Okay.
3:21:03
Yeah.
3:21:03
A lot of these agencies, I would say, EEPC, specifically, Unfortunately or fortunately, however you look at it, the council we love to pass a lot of laws and a lot of these laws create a burden for agencies and The council has passed a ton of laws that require EPC to do a ton of things.
3:21:20
And historically, in the past, they have fell behind the charter mandates.
3:21:26
Because they just don't have the proper funding for staff, economists.
3:21:31
I think the $64,000 was to hire a part time GC.
3:21:34
So This is such even smaller than the commission and just really wanna understand or even get from you how you anticipate the agency in fulfilling their charter mandates without proper staffing?
Jacques Jiha
3:21:48
Yeah.
3:21:49
Again, as I said, that was a rational for it.
3:21:52
But as I said, if condition warrants.
3:21:54
As we proceed, we'll work with you and see what can be done to address this particular issue.
Nantasha Williams
3:22:00
Okay.
3:22:00
Thank you.
3:22:01
Then one off topic because it's just a little interest of minds, and I know you and I spoke about it before about Rutgers.