In November, voters added a quarter cent sales tax increase to help funding for public services in the city of Fargo. Inside the City Commission chambers on Wednesday, May 14, officials detailed exactly how they plan to spend that money. Fargo Fire Department Chief Steve Dirksen was grateful to see the influx of funds to his department, as was Police Chief David Zibolski.
One of the primary goals of budget allocators was to bring salaries for both departments more in line with regional averages. That means an increase to starting pay for prospective recruits โ but also a raise for current police officers and firefighters. โOur sworn fire employees will receive an average market adjustment of 7 percent,โ explained Human Resources Director Jill Minette, โand our sworn police employees will see an average market adjustment of 5 percent.โ
