City of Fargo making cuts, adjustments, in response to financial impact of COVID-19

FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Fargo city commissioners have approved cutting just over $10 million from the budget as it deals with the COVID-19 impact on revenue. The cuts come from the general fund and capital improvement projects.

City Adminstrator Bruce Grubb said, based on the budget team study, revenues in the general fund will trail by about $3 million. That includes not filling full-time vacant positions and part-time seasonal jobs, reducing overtime, travel, training and equipment purchases. Grubb says calls this “step one” in the management of the budget situation and hopes it is the last step but he says there are so many uncertainties and will require close attention.

Just over $7 million will be sliced from the the capital improvement budget for infrastructure project. City Engineer Brenda Derrig explains reductions in city sales tax revenue and the state funded Prairie Dog program required cutbacks but there’s a possibility some of those projects could be back in the mix if the city receives federal stimulus funding. She said many of those infracture projects are “shovel ready.”