Affirms commitment to building racial equity and reducing disparity

County of MonoOn October 13, 2020, the Mono County Board of  Supervisors unanimously passed, approved, and adopted a “Resolution Recognizing Racism as a  Public Health Crisis and Affirming Mono County’s Commitment to Building Racial Equity and  Reducing Disparity.”  

This historic action seeks to acknowledge the disparities in family stability, health and mental  wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice, and  housing associated with racism, and assess internal policies and procedures to ensure racial  equity is a core element of the County. 

“Institutional and structural racism and injustice have led to deep and persistent racial disparities  across all sectors, and have had lasting negative consequences for Mono County,” stated  Supervisor Stacy Corless, Chair of the Mono County Board of Supervisors. “A number of recent  events have highlighted the structuring of opportunity and assigning of value based solely on skin  color and other physical characteristics, unfairly disadvantaging some, and systemically  advantaging others. Mono County recognizes the damage this system has caused, and I am proud  to be part of a Board courageous enough to acknowledge this complex issue, and willing to work  to change it for the health and well-being of all members of our county community.”  

Among other things, the Resolution directs the County Administrative Officer (CAO) and staff to  develop a workplan that includes the formation of a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)  Commission that would guide the effort. Through this Commission, the Board of Supervisors  hopes to engage partner agencies and organizations in moving toward equity in Mono County.

The CAO is to report back to the Board and community starting in January 2021 on the activities  outlined in the Resolution, including the formation and seating of the JEDI Commission, and a  midyear budget adjustment to reflect funding commitment.