Herndon moves to create its own version of county’s ‘One Fairfax’ equity policy

The Town of Herndon is exploring the adoption of new policy that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion.

Moved by council member Pradip Dhakal and created by the Herndon Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, the “One Herndon” policy builds on the One Fairfax policy adopted by Fairfax County in 2016, which commits county and school officials to considering social and racial equity issues when providing services and making policy decisions.

“The time is now to move beyond embracing diversity as an asset and implement a new growth model driven by equity — just and fair inclusion into ‘OneHerndon,’ a community in which everyone can participate and prosper,” the draft resolution says.

At a March 5 meeting, a majority of the council expressed support for the proposal, while cautioning that the council and staff would need to evaluate ways to continue implementing the policy in meaningful and quantifiable ways.

“I’m trying to understand what we want to achieve with the policy beyond statements of equity and inclusion,” Councilmember Keven LeBlanc said.

Dhakal noted that the resolution provides guidance for creating future policies.

“It’s a step-by-step policy,” he said, adding that the policy is intended to be a “high-level guiding resolution” only.

The council plans to continue discussing the resolution at an April strategic planning meeting.

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