24 V.S.A. App. ch. 3, § 3-374: Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

(a) The City of Burlington shall form the Office of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (REIB) and establish a Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

(b) The Director of REIB role shall be a permanent position in the City, selected and hired in accordance with City of Burlington Human Resources policies and procedures, and shall report directly to the Mayor.

(c) The REIB shall be under the supervision, direction, and control of the Director, subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council.

(d) The Director of REIB shall have all of the powers, duties, and responsibilities as are provided in the Director position description.

(e) Subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council, the Mayor and the Director of REIB shall develop and implement a comprehensive racial equity, inclusion, and belonging strategy for the City of Burlington.

(f) In furtherance of this work, the Director of REIB shall, subject to the orders and ordinances of the City Council, have and implement the following rights, powers, and duties in collaboration with all City departments:

(1) to work on behalf of the City to advance equity and social justice by championing diversity, inclusion, belonging, and antiracism;

(2) to develop, coordinate, implement, and administer racial equity and inclusion strategies and projects for the City;

(3) to provide consultation for and recommend to City departments, the Mayor’s office, and the City Council policy and program changes to better advance racial equity and inclusion in the City;

(4) to enhance the representation in City government for individuals who hold underserved community identities, through decision-making bodies, community engagement initiatives, and policy development processes; and

(5) to coordinate and facilitate constituent engagement in the City that encourages inclusive spaces for engagement with City government.