The possible reversal of a planned cut to the Human Rights Commission budget by the Sioux City Council will be delayed by one more week.
Many people went to the council meeting on Monday to speak against the February tentative decision to cut the Human Rights Commission budget by $140,000, or by 30 percent of the budget for that department.
But with a series of other final key budget decisions to be made during a public hearing on April 14, council members said it was best to consider the commission budget restoration at that time.
At the Monday meeting, several Sioux City residents clapped as such commission members as Garie Lewis, Val Uken and Camrie Miranda asserted that services to vulnerable people could be harmed if the $140,000 cut is not reversed.
Mike Goodman of Sioux City also addressed the council.
“It is critical that we have proper local support for the rights of our citizens. We're a diverse community. We value equity, diversity and inclusion, and I'm proud to say that,” Goodman said.
The city of Sioux City budget for 2025-26 will be set by the council members by the end of April, with big decisions on large-dollar Capital Improvement Program pieces, plus department budgets.
The current budget version has a proposed property tax levy increase.
