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Personnel & Finance Committee Minutes - 8/12/87 Page 7 She reviewed the subscription and dues accounts and noted that the instruction account was being increased by approximately 5% so that all attorneys in the department would meet the CLE requirements for instruction registration payments and computer training . ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Page 1.A.026 - requested 1988 budget of $400, 000 representing a 60% increase. Mr. Vance noted that the city was attempting to place tax dollars for the disposal of economic developments. Mr. Jon Hunt noted that there were two (2) appropriations from civil city funds in 1986 in the sum of $125,000 each. In 1988, he requested that $500 , 000 be appropriated to his department ; however , that figure has been reduced by the city administration to $400, 000. Mr. Hunt noted that community development provides staff services and that, in light of the Federal law which prohibits no more than 20% for administrative expenses based on entitlement laws, more flexibility is needed to assure quality services from his department. He did propose a modification of his budget in that it be reduced by $20, 000 so that the Human Rights staff could have this $20,000 increment. Mary Allen, Director of the Human Rights staff , then further reviewed the need for this request. She noted that the money would go toward a hearing officer and secretary. She indicated that there is a backlog of cases and that there has been an increasing amount of probable cause or non-probable cause hearing taking place. In order to avoid a potential conflict of interest, the hearing officer and secretary are required. It was further indicated that the attorney could not be from the City Attorney ' s department . Councilman Serge questioned how many active cases the agency handles. Mary Allen noted that there are 293 active cases today; however, there is a twelve (12) month inventory of backlog cases. She noted that the bulk of the cases were race and sex discrimination with employment discrimination (such as denied promotions) coming in at the next level . Linda Rae Hernandez , President of the Human Rights Commission, and Mr. Mel Reed , attorney for the Commission, were also available for this discussion. It was indicated that age discrimination is not investigated but sent to the Federal EEOC. Mr. Vance and Mr. Hunt both indicated that they would propose the proper amendment for such a request on behalf of the Human Rights Commission. Three (3) handouts were also given to the Committee indicating the intake and activity reports of the Human Rights Commission.