By Betty Janik
On February 11, 2025, Scottsdale City Council was asked to vote on Ordinance 4662 which ensured COS employees are hired and promoted based on merit and to discontinue DEI programs. Once again, certain members of Council fabricated a problem that does not exist in the halls of Council and concocted a solution that was totally unwarranted, but it was a good political theatre. Section 14-2 of the City code states “It is the policy of the city to provide employment opportunities to all persons based solely on ability.” There are several other sections of City Code with similar requirements. These sections are so definitive that 4662 borrowed the same language. As for A.R.S. 41-1494, we do not violate state law, but it is a good sound bite to reference DEI to incite citizens and provoke calls for the elimination of funding for DEI programs which do not even exist. The Office of Diversity has defined objectives: monitor and report on compliance with ADA and Title VI, share best practices and address ADA complaints, investigate complaints and enforce the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, provide administrative staff support for Human Relations Commission, and coordinate the Mayor’s Ability Awards Program. Additionally, the office leads/coordinates events within the organization and community that support our diversity and are enjoyed by both residents and tourists (ex., Arizona Indian Festival).
The city will NOT save money with the implementation of Ordinance 4662 because we do not use city funds for DEI systemic programing, but deceptive wording implies that Scottsdale has these programs and spends funds on them. The objectives and tasks of the Office of Diversity are necessary and will remain unchanged as will the costs.
There was a proposed motion to hold a study session on this topic, but the usual suspects voted it down. They were afraid of the truth when their incendiary fiction is so much more provocative. A study session would have provided the facts and a reasonable action might have been initiated to simply change the name of the office to that of Compliance and Accordance or similar and drop references to DEI.
Hundreds of letters and 47 of 49 speakers urged continuing support of our Office of Diversity, which dates back to 1998. In spite of this, Ordinance 4662 was passed by the usual suspects leaving a deep scar on our city. Our Love Statue is crying!
Betty Janik
Former Scottsdale Councilwoman