ORGANIZATION

Columbus City Codes tit. 39, ch. 3902

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 3902.01 Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

3902.01 - Office of Diversity and Inclusion. There is hereby created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is dedicated to creating and implementing programs, policies and procedures that will deliver and capture value through supplier development and workforce diversity. Additionally, the office will assist underserved, under-utilized and economically disadvantaged small, regional businesses with gaining greater access to procurement opportunities and resources to build viable and sustainable businesses. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion may exercise the following duties, responsibilities and authority: (A) Administration and enforcement of compliance with the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (B) Establishment of written policy and procedures to execute the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (C) Development and refinement of workforce policy and procedures; (D) Development, refinement and coordination of supplier development and procurement activities such as outreach, verification, solicitation for small contracts, bid specification review and prompt payment/contract dispute resolution procedures; (E) Development, refinement and coordination of assistance programs such as financing, bonding/insurance and technical assistance; (F) Development and coordination of mentor/protégé and on-the-job training demonstration projects; (G) Development, refinement, and implementation of MBE/WBE and SRBE certification procedures and coordination of such procedures with the Purchasing vendor registration system; (H) Consideration of sheltered market solicitation, based upon criteria set forth in the applicable sections of the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (I) Investigation of alleged violations of the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (J) Analysis and review of programs in accordance with the review and reporting requirements contained in the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (K) Analysis, review and recommendation for adjustments to the city's annual participation goals; (L) Establish and review of all applicable specific contract participation goals; (M) Establishment of committees and advisors to further the goals of the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (N) Recommendations to the mayor and city council regarding additional efforts necessary to ensure the effective operation of this office pursuant to periodic review and reporting requirements contained in the Diversity and Inclusion Code. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion may hire staff or contract with outside firms or organizations to perform these and other duties as necessary to expand the role of the Office. (Ord. No. 2026-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 2700-2023, § 3, 12-4-2023; Ord. No. 2116-2025, § 1, 11-17-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 3902.02 Duties of the Director.

3902.02 - Duties of the Director. The Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor at a salary fixed by ordinance of Council. The Director shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Diversity and Inclusion Code, the policies, rules and regulations issued hereunder, and for other duties pertinent thereto, including: (A) Investigating complaints, making inspections, and observing employment conditions related to City contracts; (B) Reviewing all submittals required by the Diversity and Inclusion Code and ensuring all contractors who are in compliance with its requirements; (C) Certifying qualified business enterprises and monitoring their participation on city contracts to ensure compliance with the Diversity and Inclusion Code; (D) Reviewing ordinances authorizing the entry into contracts and certifying the proposed contractor's compliance prior to the ordinance being submitted to council; (E) Promulgating and enforcing rules and regulations in the form of a Programs Manual to carry out the meaning and purpose of the MBE/WBE and SRBE Programs as authorized by Council pursuant to Section 3907.98; (F) Monitoring the workforce of contractors by desk audits and on-site inspections, as needed, to determine if any contractor is in violation of any applicable law related to contract compliance; (G) Receiving and reviewing all rules and regulations issued by the State of Ohio or the federal government relevant to contract compliance, and assuring that the City is conforming to those rules or regulations. (Ord. No. 2026-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 2700-2023, § 3, 12-4-2023; Ord. No. 2116-2025, § 1, 11-17-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 3902.04 Workforce development.

3902.04 - Workforce development. The City of Columbus believes that a dynamic and diverse workforce drives economic growth, fosters greater creativity and creates a more innovative workforce. Additionally, the workforce composition of the City of Columbus should reflect the diversity and socioeconomic makeup of the residents it serves. As the City attracts, retains, and develops talent, the City will focus on new and innovative ways to help ensure that representation is a part of that process and that the City workforce is reflective of the City population. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Director, in conjunction with City departments and management, may develop guidelines, initiatives and programs to help advance the objectives of this section. (Ord. No. 2026-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021; Ord. No. 2116-2025, § 1, 11-17-2025)

Columbus City Codes § 3902.05 Equal employment policy.

3902.05 - Equal employment policy. It shall be the policy of the City of Columbus to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, familial status or military status in hiring, tenure, training, terms, conditions or privileges of employment. (Ord. No. 2026-2021, § 1, 7-26-2021)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT39DIINCO_CH3902ORFetched: 10/27/2026