Scottsdale cuts Juneteenth celebration, employee resource groups as city shutters DEI office

Scottsdale will end its annual Juneteenth celebration and cut other programs as it implements a city council-approved plan to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Scottsdale’s City Council voted 5-2 in February to dissolve its decades-old DEI office. The plan was added to the council’s agenda without a work study session. It came after similar efforts from the Trump administration to eliminate DEI initiatives at the federal level. Dozens of Scottsdale residents spoke in opposition to the plan during the February meeting.

City Council members who supported the plan argued it would ensure merit-based hiring for city jobs. But it was not immediately clear what the broader impact of the ordinance would be on city programs.

Now, Scottsdale’s interim assistant city manager has outlined what will be affected by the vote.

In a memo to all city staff dated March 7, interim assistant city manager Jeff Walther said Scottsdale will end its annual Juneteenth celebration. The city will also discontinue sponsorship of events for groups such as the NAACP and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Scottsdale is also scrubbing its website and social media accounts of mentions of a “Scottsdale for All” diversity initiative.

The city will also disband several voluntary, employee-led resource groups for city workers. Groups impacted include those for veterans, Christians, parents and caregivers as well as for Black employees, Hispanic employees and those who identify as LGBTQ+.

“The city’s Human Resources Department is exploring alternative ways to support employee engagement and networking moving forward,” a city spokesperson said via email.

The memo said the DEI office’s two employees would not be laid off. The office’s director position has been eliminated, but the employee was offered a role elsewhere in city government. Another employee whose role focused on city compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI was transferred to a different department where she will maintain those responsibilities.

A city spokesperson said the changes resulting from dissolving the DEI office will save Scottsdale about $115,000 annually.

Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky, who voted in favor of eliminating the DEI office, said in a statement that the city remains “committed to ensuring every individual in Scottsdale has equal opportunity to thrive […] We don't require a formal diversity office to do that – what we need, and what we have – is an honest commitment from the city of Scottsdale and our community to welcome and support everyone who lives here, works here, and visits here each and every day.”