Mayor Mahoney proposes job cuts, including DEI director, as part of revised budget recommendations
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney is proposing that the director and the coordinator of the office of Diversion, Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Terry Hogan, be laid off as part of budget cuts that will be considered at Monday’s city commission meeting.
A seven-member selection committee led by Mahoney chose Hogan for the new position back in 2021.
Mahoney is also proposing that the job of a public health analyst be eliminated. Four vacant positions at Fargo Cass Public Health would not be filled. The total savings in salary and benefits would be more than $680,000.
Mahoney says his recommendations are based on a review of specific departments and positions with the budget team and department heads. He says they’re continuing to strategically evaluate other open positions to determine additional eliminations.
Mahoney’s $133 million budget for next year was initially approved and then later brought back after some commissioners raised concerns about the level of spending.
The final budget will be considered on September 30.
At its meeting on September 16, the Fargo City Commission will be asked to consider an agenda item related to position eliminations necessary to balance the 2025 Budget. A total of 6.2 positions are being recommended for elimination; of those, three positions are currently occupied by incumbents and 3.2 are vacant.
This proposed action is the result of City Commissioners’ recommendations to review specific departments and positions; this proposed action was made in consultation with the Budget Team and department heads.
The City of Fargo acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of the three employees whose positions are being recommended for elimination. Their commitment to public service through their work on behalf of our residents is commendable and will be missed.
The collective work previously performed by these 6.2 positions will be distributed among remaining employees, existing contractual relationships and modified work plans in the impacted departmental areas.
City staff will continue to strategically evaluate other vacant positions to determine additional position eliminations. Additional cost savings will be achieved to meet expenditure reduction goals.
These decisions are incredibly difficult. The reduction-in-force action is a reflection of the challenges associated with balancing the growing demands on City resources with the judicious use of taxpayer dollars.
Fargo remains committed to its core functions of protecting and serving our residents through the provision of world-class services every day.
