Gadsden council debates resolution

The Gadsden city Council debated a resolution during its work session Tuesday requiring Gadsden to actively recruit minority- and women-owned companies with which to do business.

The resolution was referred to the Cities Finance Committee.

Council President Deverick Williams had a resolution drafted that said the city will “create a policy requiring city departments to actively source for minority- and women-owned business enterprises for participation in the competitive bidding process and other no-bid purchasing scenarios.”

The resolution also says the city will develop a diversity mission statement and Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

The city would be required to report annually the efforts made to recruit minority- and women-owned business and to address the progress made, if any. Those efforts could include using the city’s website, social media and newspaper advertisements.

Mayor Sherman Guyton said he had asked Williams to discuss the issue with him before bringing it to the council and said he was unaware it was going to be brought up. Guyton said much of it would be covered under the city’s personnel policies.