OXFORD — Oxford City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing one entitled Civil Rights/Community Relations Commission during a meeting on Tuesday, March 21. The replacement ordinance will be entitled “Civil Rights Commission.”

In 1972, The Oxford City Council created the Community Relations Commission (CRC). Its purpose was to investigate complaints in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations due to discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, and/or national origin. In 2008, the protected classes were explained.

The commission has always been referred to as the Community Relations Commission, but in the City’s Codified Ordinances it is entitled Civil Rights/Community Relations Commission.

There are presently three city commissions which include the word “community,” causing confusion. To fix this issue, the CRC members and City Manager Doug Elliott suggested the name should be changed to Civil Rights Commission.

In other business:

•A resolution accepting an insurance bid from Insurance Specialist Group Inc., DBA Love Insurance Partners for the city’s property and casualty insurance coverage of up to $167,500 was approved. This represents an increase of 1.6 percent over last year’s cost. The increase is due to an increase in automobile coverage for a larger fleet.

•Council approved the first reading of an amendment supplemental appropriations for 2017. This amendment allows for sidewalk improvements on Morning Sun Road and for the EMS and Fire agreement with Oxford and Milford Townships.

•Council approved the second reading of an ordinance amending Ordinance Number 3381, Supplemental Budget Ordinance Number 2 to make supplemental appropriations for 2017. This amendment allows for the transfer of funds to complete work on the municipal building and Lane Library.

•City Manager Elliot presented an update on a resolution council passed in opposition to House Bill 49. He informed council members it had been sent to the appropriate state representatives. Hearings on the matter took place last week, during which municipalities were asked if they were in support of the bill. No municipalities who levy an income tax were in support of the bill. According to Elliot, there is no provision in the bill to send the interest back to the local governments. “That can be really substantial,” he said. “I believe I read in the minutes that somebody testified that it amounted to over $600 million. That’s a lot of money. So, we’ll watch it very carefully.”

The next Oxford City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Oxford’s Courthouse.