South Bend releases diversity plan for hiring, promotions

The city of South Bend has released a plan aimed at removing or reducing barriers to diversity and inclusion in hiring, career development and purchasing over the next three years. The plan will also help protect the city from future discrimination lawsuits.

The South Bend Tribune reports Mayor Pete Buttigieg said at a news conference Monday the focus areas include making sure the city is driving quantity and quality of applicants for positions in the city; making sure that career development and promotion is based on performance; and making sure the city supports small businesses.

He says the city can't legislate inclusion, but says it can leverage the city's purchasing power to support women- and minority-owned enterprises.

The plan establishes common promotion and performance evaluation practices across all city departments. The city has faced several discrimination cases in recent years.