In mid-2024, The City of Fargo launched a community engagement tool to assist City leaders in identifying patterns in community members’ opinions regarding City services and overall sentiment on the Fargo metro community. The initiative is designed to bolster The City of Fargo’s continuing efforts to facilitate effective community engagement and build trust among the residents served by the organization in an efficient manner. By utilizing the data gained from this tool, City leaders will be able to hear from the “average resident” on an array of key City and community-wide objectives. The results from the first annual survey were presented at a special Fargo City Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 19.
The City of Fargo partnered with Zencity on this community engagement effort; Zencity is working with over 300 American cities on similar projects. Scientifically-valid community surveys will be conducted annually for three years to allow for trend analyses and comparison. Additionally, Fargo’s results are/will continue to be benchmarked against peer communities across the nation in a customized cohort of over 60 communities to determine areas of success, as well as areas to improve upon.
The 2024 Fargo Community Survey collected input on a range of topics including public safety, housing affordability, transportation and overall satisfaction with City services. The survey also touched on key metrics including residents’ feelings of the overall quality of life and several community characteristics. Seven key areas for further community engagement were identified by the results:
• Ability to give input to the Fargo government
• Annual budgeting
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
• Homelessness and affordable housing
• Public safety perceptions
• Sales tax extension vote on infrastructure
• Workforce recruitment, retention and compensation
Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney said the data will help City leaders define priorities for growth. “This survey gives us real, measurable feedback on what our residents value and where they expect improvements,” Mahoney said. “City services must evolve to meet the needs of the people we serve. These results will ensure we stay focused on the issues that matter most to our residents.”
Deputy Mayor Denise Kolpack emphasized the importance of ongoing engagement with the community. “Residents deserve a voice in their local government and this survey ensures we hear from them – reaching people throughout the entire community of all ages, demographics and walks of life,” Kolpack said. “The data we’ve gathered will help us make informed decisions that reflect the expectations of the people who live and work here.”
To further The City’s commitment to community engagement, Fargo will collaborate with Zencity to launch YourFargo, an online portal that will serve as a platform for ongoing dialogue between residents and City staff members. This tool will provide a space for residents to share feedback on key issues identified in the survey, pose questions and receive timely responses from City officials. The platform will ensure that community input remains at the forefront of decision-making, allowing The City to adapt and respond to evolving priorities in real time.
Fargo’s Communications & Governmental Affairs Team collaborated extensively with all City departments’ leadership teams to create a plan for success for this effort. Zencity representatives were in Fargo for three consecutive days to gather input from City leaders and City departments, culminating in the creation of a comprehensive executive summary with recommendations to achieve quantifiable community engagement over the next three years. This on-site component was extremely beneficial in understanding and capturing community sentiment and Fargo’s unique demographics, opportunities and challenges.
“This effort is far more than a survey; it is the launching of a robust, online townhall to engage with residents on their terms,” stated Chief Communications Officer Gregg Schildberger. “We have a citizenry who wants to be active in their government; YourFargo will be one of The City’s most impactful tools to aid in ensuring we are offering transparency and real engagement with Fargo residents. This innovative platform allows us to connect with Fargo in a way that is accessible and meaningful,” Schildberger said. “By meeting people where they are, we are able to amplify their voices and ensure their feedback is heard and acknowledged.”
The full results from the 2024 Fargo Community Survey can be viewed online here.