Earlier this year, Governor Bill Lee signed the ‘Dismantling DEI Departments Act’ and ‘Dismantling DEI in Employment Act’, respectively. The city asked legal counsel to research these new laws and were informed that they do not allow the city government to legally maintain ECE.
The city’s Department of Community Development will absorb staff from community health, engagement, safety and gun violence prevention under a new ordinance passed Tuesday by the City Council on first reading.
The city staff re-organization also includes dissolving the Department of Equity and Community Engagement (ECE) and moving staff over to the Office of Constituent Services.
“I remain committed to building a community where every Chattanoogan has access to opportunity,” said Mayor Tim Kelly. “This re-organization reflects my administration’s efforts to create community resource hubs across the city. It also allows us to keep talented, dedicated people on staff in service of the community.”
“This is a classic case of making lemonade out of lemons,” Councilman Clark said. “We can’t control what the state wants to outlaw, but we can continue Chattanooga’s commitment to this body of work so that all Chattanoogans can thrive and prosper.”
As part of the re-organization, Mayor Kelly announced Kelly Valcarce is serving as the new Director of Community Engagement. She previously led the Office of New Americans, where she enhanced language access to city services, launched Chattanooga 101, founded the Bridging Communities Coalition and organized major events including the Hispanic Heritage Festival and consular visits.
A board member of the JA Henry YMCA and a current member of Leadership Chattanooga and Leadership Hamilton County Schools, Ms. Valcarce earned her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Lee University.
Mayor Kelly also announced Miles Huff as director of the Office of New Chattanoogans where he is developing and implementing strategies to welcome, integrate and retain new residents, ensuring they thrive in Chattanooga and become civically involved, it was stated. He previously served as the Executive Coordinator for the Mayor’s Office. Mr. Huff is active in the community and serves on the board of directors for the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association and the executive committee of the board for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Mr. Huff was a part of the inaugural class of Leadership Hamilton County Schools and completed the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program. He earned his master’s degree in mental health counseling and bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lee University.