Fargo City Commission Meeting Wrap-Up - 08.18.2025
In case you missed the August 18, 2025, Fargo City Commission meeting, here are a few highlights we would like you to know about.
Fargo Fire Department Achieves Reaccreditation
The Fargo Fire Department recently completed its reaccreditation process through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). First accredited in 2010, the Fargo Fire Department takes part in a rigorous process every five years to maintain its accreditation status. The department’s reaccreditation hearing occurred August 5, 2025, in Denver.
In May 2025, four CFAI peer assessors from fire departments in Virginia, Illinois, Colorado and California visited Fargo to review the Fire Department’s practices and interview various Fire and City personnel. Their visit marked the fourth time the Fire Department has been reviewed for accreditation.
During Monday’s City Commission meeting, former Fargo Fire Chief Steve Dirksen, who is a CFAI Commissioner, presented The City of Fargo and the Fargo Fire Department with a plaque commemorating the department’s accreditation renewal.
Due to the department’s efforts to extend its accreditation, several policies, procedures and planning documents have been enhanced over the past 15 years, allowing The City of Fargo to advance from Insurance Services Office (ISO) Class 3 to Class 1. This classification has increased community safety and led to reduced insurance costs for Fargo residents. Fargo is one of 124 fire departments that are internationally accredited and hold an ISO Class 1 designation.
Commission Approves Agreement for Fargo Police Work Station
As Fargo's population and geographic footprint continue to expand, particularly in the southern neighborhoods of the city, The Fargo Police Department has been exploring operational solutions to maintain efficient response times and officer presence in these rapidly growing areas. The need for a functional space where officers can remain in their assigned beats while completing reports, taking breaks and addressing basic needs, has become increasingly critical. Historically, the FPD used the West Acres Fire Station as a satellite location to support this need. However, due to the Fire Department's expansion and remodel at that location, the FPD no longer has access to that space.
Through the generosity of Scheels, a remote FPD work station will be established within Scheels’ existing facility at 1551 45th St. S., without any direct cost to the City for facility space. Scheels has offered the secure space, which is separate from the retail store, and the FPD will provide the necessary resources to outfit the space for operational use. The remote work station will serve as a temporary-use space for officers to write reports, eat meals and use restroom facilities without leaving their assigned patrol areas.
On Monday evening, the City Commission voted 3-2 to approve a memorandum of understanding between Scheels and the FPD for the establishment and use of a work station within the Scheels facility.
Commission Reappoints Members to Planning Commission
The City Commission voted 5-0 on Monday to reappoint three members of the Planning Commission.
Amy Hass and Thomas Schmidt were each reappointed to the Planning Commission for three-year terms ending June 30, 2028.
Scott Stofferahn, who wants to continue his service for one more year, was reappointed for a one-year term ending June 30, 2026.
Residents are encouraged to research and apply for appointment to any of The City of Fargo’s boards, commissions and committees for consideration in the event of future vacancies. For more information on the responsibilities of each board, commission and committee, please visit FargoND.gov/GettingInvolved.
Home Rule Charter, Municipal Code Amended to Comply with State Law Changes
In the 2025 legislative session, the North Dakota Legislature passed House Bill 1307 which had the effect of removing powers from home rule cities to govern their own election procedures. Additionally, the Legislature passed House Bill 1297 which prohibits cities from using approval or rank voting to elect local officials. In effect, home rule cities, such as Fargo, must have election procedures and ordinances that mirror state law.
On Monday, Fargo City Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve a set of resolutions and ordinances that made the following changes:
- Remove approval voting from Article 11 of Fargo’s Home Rule Charter and from Fargo Municipal Code Section 2-0205. In its place, Fargo will use a voting method in which a voter may vote for as many candidates as there are available seats. For a mayoral election, that would be one vote. In a general election for the City Commission, that would be two votes as there will always be two Commission seats up for election.
- Remove the ability of candidates to pay a $100 filing fee in lieu of providing a petition with 300 signatures. Rather, candidates will need to provide a petition signed by 300 qualified electors.
- Remove the requirement that a candidate live in Fargo for six months prior to filing their nominating papers and replacing it with a requirement that a candidate live in Fargo for nine months prior to the election.
- Clarify that biennial City elections will be held on the second Tuesday in June of each even-numbered year (This is currently when City elections are held but Fargo’s ordinance tied the date to the primary election in state law instead of expressly stating the second Tuesday in June).