In a move that places local values in direct opposition to statewide political currents, the Leon County citizen charter review committee has decisively voted to advance a proposal that would formally recognize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a core community principle within the county’s constitution. The committee’s recent meeting served as a forum for a series of progressive amendments, with the DEI initiative emerging as the most significant and politically charged topic. This action signals a deliberate effort by local leaders to codify their principles, setting the stage for a potential confrontation with a state government that has actively sought to dismantle such programs. The debate highlighted a fundamental tension between home rule and state authority, as committee members navigated legal risks and political ramifications to assert the county’s identity and priorities. The outcomes of this final session for new proposals will now move to the county commission, which will determine which of these citizen-led initiatives will ultimately face the voters.
The Push for a DEI Charter Value
Championing Local Values
The centerpiece of the committee’s deliberations was the overwhelming 13-2 vote to direct county staff to draft language for an amendment enshrining DEI principles within the Leon County charter. This initiative was spearheaded by School Board member Darryl Jones, who positioned the measure as a necessary bulwark against a hostile state-level political environment. Jones articulated that under the influence of Governor Ron DeSantis, the Republican-led Legislature, and former President Donald Trump, foundational concepts such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and preferences for local businesses have become politically “verboten.” His stated objective was to have Leon County explicitly “hold up diversity, equity, and inclusion as a charter value,” thereby creating a formal and lasting affirmation of the community’s beliefs. To emphasize that this was not a superficial or symbolic gesture, Jones invoked author William Faulkner, stating the amendment is “not intended to be full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” but is instead a profound declaration of “what we believe as being a county.”
Jones’s advocacy for the amendment is informed by both his professional and civic roles, as he serves as the deputy director of minority, women, and small business enterprise for the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality. He skillfully connected the abstract value of DEI to the tangible policy of supporting local contractors, arguing that “support, charity, love, goodwill starts at home.” This linkage underscores a broader philosophy that prioritizes community investment and local economic empowerment, another area where county policies have faced opposition from state lawmakers who often favor deregulation and open competition. By proposing to embed these values in the county’s foundational document, Jones and his supporters on the committee are attempting to insulate local priorities from shifting political winds at the state capitol. The move represents a proactive strategy to define and defend the county’s character, asserting a local vision of governance that stands in stark contrast to the direction being pursued by state leadership.
Navigating State Opposition and Internal Concerns
The timing of the DEI proposal is particularly pointed, as it directly confronts a wave of state legislation aimed at eradicating such initiatives in municipal governments across Florida. Specifically, bills SB 1134 and HB 1001, introduced by Republican legislators Sen. Clay Yarborough and Rep. Dean Black, are designed to prohibit cities and counties from funding or promoting DEI. If passed, these laws would not only prevent the creation of new programs but would also void any existing ordinances or policies related to them. The Leon County committee’s action can therefore be interpreted as a preemptive and defiant stance against what they see as an overreach of state power into local affairs. By seeking to amend the county charter—its core governing document—proponents are aiming to give DEI principles the strongest possible legal and moral standing, making it more difficult for state-level mandates to dismantle the local framework. This strategic move anticipates a continuing ideological battle and seeks to fortify the county’s position in advance.
Despite the strong momentum behind the proposal, it was not without internal scrutiny. Committee member Shamarial Roberson, a former deputy secretary for health at the Florida Department of Health and one of the two dissenting votes, raised a critical practical concern. She requested that the staff’s analysis of the proposed amendment specifically address whether its adoption could put the county at risk of losing state or federal funding. This question highlighted the tangible stakes involved in defying state policy. However, County Attorney Chasity O’Steen provided a legal opinion that appeared to allay these fears, explaining that a value statement, as proposed, would not constitute “any sort of actionable item or directive of any kind.” Because it would not mandate specific actions or expenditures, she concluded there would not be a significant concern about it conflicting with or being preempted by state or federal law. Jones himself acknowledged his awareness of the “political ramifications,” having previously drawn criticism from Republicans, demonstrating a calculated understanding of the contentious path ahead.
Broadening the Charter’s Scope
Tackling Affordable Housing and Healthcare
Beyond the heated DEI debate, the committee also turned its attention to other pressing community issues, notably affordable housing. A motion from committee member and City Commission candidate Max Herrle to have staff prepare information on a potential affordable housing amendment passed by a comfortable 12-3 margin. This decision came despite a recommendation from county staff to not pursue the issue as a charter amendment. Assistant County Administrator Shington Lamy argued that the county has already made historic investments in this sector, committing $5.8 million in direct funding and authorizing over $195 million in bond financing over the last five years. He detailed that this substantial funding is projected to create more than 1,200 affordable housing units for low to extremely low-income residents within the next 18 months. However, the staff’s position was challenged by committee member Henry Lewis III, a former county commissioner, who disputed the figures and suggested that a portion of the planned units would be for market-rate tenants. Lamy refuted this claim, but the exchange revealed underlying tensions and a desire among some committee members for a more constitutionally enshrined commitment to housing affordability.
In a moment of unanimous consensus, the committee also voted to have staff draft a charter amendment that affirms access to primary care as a fundamental determinant of the community’s economic vitality and well-being. This non-controversial measure, proposed by Dr. Temple Robinson, the CEO of Bond Community Health Center, garnered immediate and widespread support. The proposal reflects a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of public health and economic prosperity. By seeking to add this principle to the charter, the committee aims to establish a clear policy foundation that prioritizes preventative care and health equity as essential components of a thriving community. Unlike the DEI and housing debates, which were marked by discussions of political opposition and fiscal implementation, the healthcare amendment advanced smoothly, indicating a shared belief among committee members that a healthy populace is a prerequisite for a strong local economy and a high quality of life for all residents. This action underscores the committee’s comprehensive approach to community welfare, addressing a spectrum of social and economic issues.
The Path Forward and a Defeated Proposal
The meeting marked the culmination of months of work for the 21-person committee, which had been meeting since October, and represented the final opportunity to introduce new ideas for charter amendments. While several progressive proposals gained traction, not all were successful. A notable defeat was a measure put forth by committee member Barry Wilcox to explore a charter amendment for creating a unified city/county land development code, which failed in a narrow 8-7 vote. This outcome illustrated the complexities and differing opinions even within a generally forward-looking group, highlighting the specific challenges associated with merging major governmental functions. The committee’s work had now concluded its initial phase, with the approved proposals, including the significant DEI statement, the affordable housing initiative, and the primary care access affirmation, set to advance to the next critical stage of the process.
The journey for these potential amendments was far from over. Following the committee’s endorsement, the responsibility shifted to the Leon County commissioners, who hold the ultimate authority in this process. The commissioners would review each proposal forwarded by the citizen committee and decide which, if any, were suitable to be placed on the general election ballot for voter approval in 2026. This next step would introduce a new layer of political calculation and public scrutiny, as the elected officials weigh the committee’s recommendations against their own policy priorities and perceptions of voter sentiment. The fate of these citizen-driven efforts to reshape the county’s foundational document now rested in the hands of the commission, which would determine whether Leon County voters would have the final say on codifying new values into their local constitution. The process had successfully elevated key community concerns, but the path to enactment remained a significant political hurdle.
