Applications are now being accepted for seven open positions on the city’s newly created Civil Rights Commission.

The commission was created as part of the voter-approved Uniform Civil Rights Protection ordinance which is scheduled to go into effect Nov. 7.

The ordinance prohibits business owners and landlords from firing or evicting someone because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Churches, religious schools and daycare facilities, and religious organizations of any kind are exempt from the new law.

Anyone asserting a claim of discrimination will be required to present their claim in writing to the city attorney, who will inform the Civil Rights Commission that a complaint had been received.

Informal and confidential mediation will be attempted by the city before any other enforcement measures could begin. If mediation fails, the commission will schedule a hearing to review the complaint and receive evidence. If the commission determines that discrimination has occurred, the violator will be fined up to $100 for the first offense. Subsequent violations will carry the city’s general penalty which calls for fines of up to $500. A violation will not be considered a misdemeanor or felony.

Open positions on the volunteer commission are as follows:

• One representative of the business community (term ending Dec. 31, 2017)
• One representative of the business community (term ending Dec. 31, 2018)
• One owner or manager of rental property (term ending Dec. 31, 2016)
• One owner or manager of rental property (term ending Dec. 31, 2018)
• One representative with experience in human resources or employment law (term ending Dec. 31, 2017)
• One citizen-at-large position (term ending Dec. 31, 2018)
• One citizen-at-large whom identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (term ending Dec. 31, 2016)

All volunteers must be registered voters who reside within the Fayetteville city limits.

Applications must be mailed or hand delivered to the City Clerk’s office or emailed to city_clerk@ci.fayetteville.ar.us by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16.

For more information, call the City Clerk’s office at 479-575-8323.