Five of the seven council members approved Ordinance No. 4662, which mandates city employees are “hired, evaluated and promoted based on merit.” This ordinance also stops funding DEI systemic programming and moves DEI-related employees to different positions.
The Arizona city’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created in 1998. The city allocated $716,356 for the office for fiscal year 2024-2025.
Mayor Lisa Borowsky said at the hearing that the city has evolved “tremendously.”
She said DEI is “alive and well” and “highly valued” in the city.
“As your mayor, I am committed to abiding by and enforcing all federal and state laws which faithfully advance the principles set forth in our U.S. Constitution,” Borowsky said.
In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that ended DEI programs in the federal government.
The mayor said the future of Scottsdale she envisions is one where all its residents can “dream big and achieve their goals.”
“Scottsdale will continue to prioritize merit-based hiring, performance reviews and promotions that reward individual skill, work ethic and productivity,” the mayor said.
Borowsky voted in favor of this ordinance.
Another ordinance proponent, Councilmember Adam Kwasman, said at the hearing that DEI runs policies through a lens of identity categories.
During the city council hearing, many people spoke out against this ordinance. Fifty-one people signed up to speak during the public comment on this ordinance. Only two people spoke in favor of it.
