Columbia expects to continue to receive federal grants after voting to keep equity statement intact
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia City Council on Monday night voted 5-1 to keep its current mission and vision statements after months of proposed change.
President Donald Trump on Jan. 21 signed an executive order that targets the language surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion -- commonly referred to as DEI. -- alleging it promotes discrimination. There have been concerns over whether keeping the mission statement could impact federal funding for the city.
However, the vote passed and now gives the green light to the City Manager De’Carlon Seewood to accept federal grants, which are used to fund the health department, police department, and affordable housing.
The statement will remain to say, "We recognize the local government’s role in our community’s history of systemic oppression. We are committed to removing these barriers and rooting our priorities, decisions, and culture in the principles of diversity, inclusion, justice and equal access to opportunity."
"So basically, what the council did was they reaffirmed our language. They just state that we are an inclusive community and that we value inclusivity," Seewood said.
City Officials told ABC 17 News the White House administration could determine that the city is in violation of the executive order. If that happens, it could possibly result in the withdrawal of federal funding. However, the city won't know it's in violation until it's been told it's being investigated.
They also say they are looking into the idea of meeting in October to discuss the possibility of updating the city's strategic plan, based on new data and input from the public.
Ward 5 Councilman Don Waterman was the only vote in opposition, saying he felt the new amendment and resolution language were insufficient in order to stay in compliance with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 21.
"The reason I wanted to change the language and I was in favor of changing the language is to protect the funding for the entirety of the City of Columbia," Waterman said.
Some city officials believe the original statement is not in violation.
"The executive order identifies specific steps that cities are taking that might violate what they're referring to as illegal DEI, and this is just a definition. It's not an action step," Ward 3 Councilwoman Jacque Sample said.
