City workers in Fargo to receive pay bonus

The City of Fargo has rewarded 967 full and part-time city employees in a big way.  City Commissioners approved “appreciation bonuses” of $1,000 to 967 workers.  It amounts to $943,250 that comes from CARES Act funding that was allocated in 2020.

City Commissioner John Strand said that several weeks ago – meeting with administrative staff – they discussed what could be done to show appreciation to city workers who have worked through nearly two years of the pandemic.

Commissioner Tony Gehrig, was the only vote against the bonuses.  “Obviously we appreciate the employees but it’s no small amount of money.  It’s a million dollars outside the budget cycle out of what we could otherwise spend.  I don’t think it’s prudent.”

Strand made it clear the bonuses are not going to city commissioners.