FARGO, ND — Fargo is extending its contract with longtime City Attorney Erik Johnson and his firm for millions of dollars. Fargo City Commissioner Tony Gehrig cast the only “no” vote on the five-year contract extension. He said the city should have an open process to hear from other law firms interested in the position. Commissioner John Strand says…
FARGO, ND — It’s that time of year again for the Fargo Public School District to give itself a report card. The State of the Schools addressed how they’re dealing with consistent growth while continuing to face social challenges. Since the district’s operations facility opened in July, superintendent Dr. Jeff Schatz said his schools are more efficient than ever. But…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Mediation sessions between Gov. Dayton and top Republican lawmakers are underway. The Minnesota Supreme Court directed Dayton and legislative leaders to work out a months-long legal battle over Dayton’s decision to veto the Legislature’s operating budget. He says he wants to rework costly tax breaks and other measures but Republicans sued, calling it unconstitutional. The…
FARGO, ND — People told Cass County leaders how they could be driven from their homes with the latest property tax increase. It’s their main concern while commissioners begin to finalize the 2018 budget. “It’s got me looking at moving to Moorhead because the property taxes are quite a bit lower there,” said Merrill Hinger of West Fargo. Many property owners…
MOORHEAD, Minn. — Property taxes are going up for people living in Moorhead. The 2018 preliminary city budget includes a $35 a year increase on a median value home. That number could change with County and School District budget changes and adjustments to taxable property values. The 2018 budget for Moorhead is $82.2 million, an increase of $1.5 million over…
FARGO, ND — Some angry homeowners addressed the Fargo City Commission about their estimated property tax bills. Many of them said they received notices in the mail saying they will be seeing double digit increases. City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn said the new budget actually cuts the tax rate by 2 mills, but he says it was the state legislature’s decision…
NORTH DAKOTA — The Bank of North Dakota may be making low-interest disaster loans available to ranchers dealing with drought. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring estimates that North Dakota cattle ranchers have sold off about 100,000 animals in recent months due to drought. The loan program is aimed at helping ranchers rebuild breeding stock and to pay for feed to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Dayton and top Republicans have chosen a mediator to try to help them out of a constitutional battle. The two sides have been locked in a legal battle for months over Dayton’s decision to veto the Legislature’s budget. The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Friday that Dayton acted constitutionally when he vetoed the funding. But…
FARGO, ND — Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney has released his preliminary 2018 Budget and it includes a property tax reduction of two mills. Mahoney also proposes a competitive wage adjustment of 2% beginning January 1st and investments in police staffing and equipment. There will be continued spending on the F-M diversion, growth of utility services and a completion of the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The legal battle between Gov. Dayton and the Legislature is on a fast track to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The dispute revolves around Dayton’s move to zero out funding for the House and Senate while signing a $46 billion budget. The Democratic governor wants top Republicans to rework costly tax breaks and other measures that…
