AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The City of Austin has hired Carol Johnson as its first Civil Rights Officer, city officials announced on Friday.
Johnson will begin her duties on February 16. The Civil Rights Officer will be responsible for supporting department programs and initiatives as it relates to all six of the Strategic Outcomes outlined in the city's Strategic Direction 2023, developing and monitoring a clear vision for the Civil Rights Office, advancing the City’s non-discrimination efforts, and promoting outreach, education, and awareness events for both businesses and community stakeholders.
"I'm honored to be appointed as the City of Austin's first Civil Rights Officer and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead in leading the City’s Civil Rights Office toward providing racial and social equity and inclusion for Austin residents," said Ms. Johnson.
Johnson has nearly 20 years of experience in public administration and executive governance, most recently as the Executive Director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. She holds a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law and degrees from the University of Arkansas and Texas Christian University.
The office is the culmination of three years efforts to establish the office, which will oversee laws that were previously handled by the city's Human Resources Department and the Code Department. It will have a budget of $1.7 million in its first year, $300,000 of which came from funds reallocated from the Austin Police Department budget.
"I am very happy to have Carol Johnson join our team as the City’s first Civil Rights Officer. Her extensive experience in civil rights matters will be instrumental in driving the department’s programs for establishing goals, policies, and best practices that address racial equity, social equity, and inclusion for City of Austin residents,” said Deputy City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde.
Austin City Council District 4 member Greg Casar praised Johnson's hiring in a statement. "Today marks another step forward in our work toward reimagining public safety and protecting the civil and labor rights of all Austinites," Casar said. "This office was created by our new budget, which reimagined public safety and prioritized civil rights. The office will ensure that Fair Chance Hiring rules, anti-discrimination laws, wage protections and other civil rights rules are followed. I look forward to working with Ms. Johnson in our efforts to advance and protect civil rights in our city."