Governor's Executive Order EO/01/2012:Creating the Utah Multicultural Affairs Office and Utah Multicultural Commission

Issued: January 17, 2012

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EXECUTIVE ORDER

Creating the Utah Multicultural Affairs Office and Utah Multicultural Commission

WHEREAS, the character of Utah has been shaped by diverse ethnic nationalities who have settled within the State, both recently and several generations ago. This diversity enhances Utah's growth, prosperity and success;

WHEREAS, the State has a fast-growing ethnic population;

WHEREAS, the State has an interest in continuing to help maximize the potential of its constituents by remaining responsive to the needs of the ethnic community;

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the State to address issues of concern that impact the ethnic community by promoting inclusiveness and cultivating trust and cooperation between State government and the ethnic community; and

WHEREAS, the Governor and his administration support the intent to ensure Utah State government adequately meets the needs of Utah's ethnic community;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary R. Herbert, Governor of the State of Utah, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Utah, do hereby order the following:

1. There is created within the Utah Department of Community and Culture the Utah Multicultural Affairs Office. The Governor shall appoint a director for the Multicultural Affairs Office.

2. There is created the Utah Multicultural Commission.

a. The Multicultural Commission shall consist of members appointed by the Governor. Members will represent State agencies and leadership within the ethnic community.

b. The Governor will appoint Commission members to serve one-year, two-year or three-year terms but at all times Commission members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed by the Governor at any time. The Governor may adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of board members are staggered.

c. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as chair of the Commission.

d. The Multicultural Commission shall meet at least every other month.

3. The Multicultural Affairs Office will support the Multicultural Commission in its work to accomplish the following:

a. Partner with State agencies to assure equity and access to culturally competent programs and services; to discuss policies, practices and procedures; and to make recommendations to ensure proper delivery of State services and resources to the ethnic community.

b. Partner with State agencies to ensure proper outreach and response to the ethnic community about State government's programs and resources.

c. Develop a strategic plan to identify needs, goals, and deliverables that will directly impact the most significant needs of the ethnic community.

d. Report to the Governor's Office as needed about State government's responsiveness to the ethnic community of Utah and other issues impacting these constituents.

4. The Executive Director of the Department of Community and Culture shall supervise the Multicultural Affairs Office.

5. State Agency Executive Directors shall work closely with the Director of Multicultural Affairs to coordinate projects, resources and activities to better serve the ethnic community.

6. The Department of Community and Culture shall provide necessary administrative support to assist the Office in performing its duties. The Executive Director of the Department of Community and Culture shall determine the types and kind of administrative support.

7. Funding for the Multicultural Affairs Office shall be contingent upon appropriations from the Utah State Legislature.

8. Members of the Commission shall receive no compensation or benefits for their services, but may receive, subject to budget availability, per diem and expenses incurred in the performance of the member's official duties at the rates established by the Division of Finance under Utah Code Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107. Members may decline to receive per diem and expenses for their service. All such per diem payments and reimbursements must be approved by the Executive Director of the Department of Community and Culture, and must be funded from the Department's existing budget.

9. This Executive Order supersedes Executive Orders 2005/0019, 2005/0020 and any other Executive Order directly referencing the State Office of Ethnic Affairs and/or State Ethnic Advisory Councils.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Utah. Done in Salt Lake City, Utah, this 17th day of January 2012.

(State Seal)

Gary R. Herbert
Governor

ATTEST:

Greg Bell
Lieutenant Governor

EO/01/2012

 

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