The Owensboro Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance Tuesday night updating the structure and language governing the Owensboro Human Relations Commission (HRC), making the first revisions to the City code related to the commission in more than two decades.
Commissioners unanimously approved Ordinance 4-2026 on second reading during the March 3 meeting. The measure amends Chapter 2, Article V of the Owensboro Municipal Code, which outlines the purpose, structure, and responsibilities of the Human Relations Commission.
City Manager Nate Pagan said the changes primarily clarify existing procedures and update terminology, noting that the ordinance creating the commission had not been revised since 2001.
“This is the second reading of various changes to the ordinance creating the Owensboro Human Relations Commission, or the HRC,” Pagan said. “The HRC was created in 1972 in accordance with authorizing state statutes, and our ordinance has not been updated since 2001. The proposed changes are not substantial and are largely clarifications and cleanups.”
Among the revisions are changes in terminology referring to members as “board members” rather than “commission members,” aligning the language with how the city describes most of its boards and commissions. The ordinance also reduces the maximum number of members from 15 to 12.
“The HRC board is larger than really almost every other board,” Pagan said.
Other changes include requiring board members to have been residents of the Owensboro-Daviess County community for at least one year prior to appointment and to remain residents during their term. The ordinance also staggers member terms and clarifies how complaints of discrimination may be handled.
“The HRC is authorized to refer complaints to appropriate agencies, which is their longstanding practice,” Pagan said.
He said the ordinance also clarifies that the commission may investigate complaints, but is not required to do so.
“That’s actually what the ordinance says now, but we’re just changing it to make it clearer,” Pagan said. “So again, it’s not really a substantial change, just more of a clarification.”
According to the ordinance, the Human Relations Commission is tasked with promoting understanding and respect among economic, social, religious, ethnic, and racial groups in the city and may receive complaints related to alleged discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, and familial status.
“These changes have been made in consultation with HRC leadership, including the chair, vice chair, and the executive director of their organization,” Pagan said.
During public comments, former HRC board member Glenda Wright spoke against the ordinance, raising concerns about the changes and the structure of the commission.
“I have a law degree, unlike anyone else on my commission, and I believe — correct me if I’m wrong — I think starting two months ago, but really in December, I reached out to this board and said that my commission was breaking the law,” Wright said.
Wright argued that the revisions could weaken the commission’s effectiveness and criticized the reduction in board membership.
“This is a volunteer board,” she said. “There are 14 current commissioners … so my question is, at a time when discrimination and DEI are on the chopping block, why would our commission support watering down that language?”
Wright also questioned the commission’s funding and training practices and said she plans to continue raising concerns publicly.
“I will continue to publish the emails that I’ve kept private, and I will continue to paint the picture for the public,” Wright said.
During public comments, HRC board chair David Kelly expressed support for the revisions on behalf of the commission.
“As board chair and on behalf of the board, we are in support of these changes,” Kelly said. “They have not been revised since 2001, and we just want to thank the city for its support.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the ordinance. The ordinance took effect following its final approval Tuesday night.
