Several diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being paused or cancelled completely following last month’s City Council vote.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Multiple initiatives are getting changed, paused or terminated in Scottsdale.
Last week, city workers received an internal memo outlining which diversity, equity and inclusion programs are going away.
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This follows a controversial City Council vote that happened in February where the council in a 5 to 2 decision to adopt an ordinance that would discontinue the use of city funds for DEI systemic programming, will “ensure city employees are hired, evaluated and promoted” based on merit, and will reassign at least two city positions related to DEI.
Scottsdale has since deleted its website and all social media accounts associated with DEI as well as gotten rid of printed material displayed at city facilities.
Some of the cuts include ending the City’s Juneteenth celebration event, the employee-driven Diversity Advisory Committee and a special program at the public library where kids participate in fingerplays and music activities that promote DEI.
The City will also no longer sponsor certain organizations like the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner and Local Government Hispanic Network.
However, the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission, the Mayor’s Ability Awards, and the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance enforcement will remain unchanged, according to a City spokesperson.
All these cuts are anticipated to free up about $115,000 in Scottsdale’s budget.
“Although the formal diversity office has ended, we remain committed to ensuring every individual in Scottsdale has equal opportunity to thrive,” Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky said in a statement. “We are a welcoming city, and I am confident that my fellow residents, business leaders, our nonprofit partners, and our anchor institutions will continue to work alongside the city in achieving our collective goal – ensuring that no community or resident in Scottsdale is under-served or overlooked.
The decision has lead to push back from residents who said on Friday that they believe these programs are important to serve the community and build diversity.
“If that money being saved is put to other good uses then I think that would be beneficial but if they’re just trying to cut it just to cut it then I don’t know how I feel about it,” said Madison Stroh.
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