Bernie Moreno

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval responded to Sen. Bernie Moreno's letter regarding the city's procurement ordinance.

Moreno implied the city could lose federal funding, calling the ordinance a "wasteful DEI Procurement Ordinance."

Pureval clarified the ordinance reorganized two city departments for efficiency and is not focused on race.

The mayor stated the restructuring is "cost neutral" and complies with all federal laws.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval has responded to Sen. Bernie Moreno's letter threatening federal funding over what the Ohio senator claimed was a "potentially illegal and wasteful DEI Procurement Ordinance."

In the July 10 letter to Moreno, Pureval told Moreno the ordinance simply reorganized two city departments into the new Department of Economic Inclusion and Procurement, a move designed for increased efficiency. The department and its procurement programs aren't focused on race, certain demographics or "other practices inconsistent with federal law," he wrote.

He also wrote that the restructuring ordinance, approved by city council in June, hasn't created new positions and is "cost neutral." It hasn't created or expanded programs or established new policies.

Pureval to Moreno: I'm 'a phone call away'

Throughout the reorganization, Pureval said, the city reviewed its practices to make sure they aligned with federal guidance.

Pureval wrote he is "a phone call away" if Moreno wants more information. Pureval is a Democrat, reelected Cincinnati mayor in November. Moreno is a Republican elected in 2024 with President Trump's backing.

"The City remains committed to administering its procurement programs in a manner that is transparent, fiscally responsible, and fully compliant with applicable law while ensuring fair access to contracting opportunities for qualified businesses," he wrote.

What Moreno's letter to Pureval said

On July 2, Moreno sent a letter to Pureval demanding more information about the ordinance and implied the city could lose federal funding if the office and ordinance violate President Donald Trump's executive orders banning DEI in government programs.

Moreno's letter referred to the ordinance as a "DEI Procurement Ordinance." The Department of Economic Inclusion oversees the city's efforts to help more minority- and women-owned businesses get city contracts, as well as performs unrelated work like monitoring compliance with state and federal wage laws.

Under the city's program, which began a decade ago, businesses must be vetted and certified by the city before they are eligible to apply for a contract. City officials have said the program's purpose is to give small minority- and women-owned companies a chance to compete for work or to bid as subcontractors alongside larger businesses with more resources.