Jacksonville Finance Committee cuts chief of diversity position [Video]

The City Council Finance Committee may have accomplished a goal they attempted last year: nixing the mayor’s chief of diversity and inclusion.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The City Council Finance Committee has potentially accomplished a goal they attempted last year: nixing the mayor’s chief of diversity and inclusion.

The council successfully lowered Mayor Donna Deegan’s staff budget last year in order to cut the position, but she transferred money internally to retain her hire of Parvez Ahmed in the new role. This year, they cut the salary and lowered her staff cap by one position. Council member Rory Diamond said he will also introduce an amendment next week to prohibit any use of funding for the position.

Diamond said he proposed the change because the impact of the role, and similar initiatives to diversify boards, divides the public.

“People of Jacksonville don’t want it,” Diamond said. “I mean, it’s been very clear. Everywhere I go, …