budget

Fargo Commissioner Wants Commission Approval For Any City Staff Overtime Pay

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo Commissioner Dave Piepkorn wants any city staff overtime to be approved ahead of time by the commission. He referred to a Forum article over the weekend about the city paying out over $31 million in overtime in the past decade. Piepkorn says one employee made $80,000 in overtime in one year and says overtime needs…

Gov. Armstrong presents Nearly $20 Billion Budget

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Gov. Kelly Armstrong presents his first state budget which comes in at nearly $20 billion. Armstrong’s administration claims it’s $600 million less than former Gov. Burgum’s final budget. A large portion is focused on property tax reform and relief, with that section totaling almost $500 million. That money will provide a property tax credit of over…

Gov. Burgum Releases Housing Recommendations

The governor addressed a crowd in Bismarck, outlining proposals that would be added to his upcoming budget.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Governor Doug Burgum is aware that housing is becoming an issue within the state of North Dakota. At a news conference in Bismarck on November 12th, he unveiled a set of recommendations, gathered into 6 separate categories, that he believes will tackle the issue head-on. These recommendations were compiled by the North Dakota Housing Initiative Advisory…

Commissioner Strand calling for more budget cuts to Mayor Mahoney’s budget proposal

  FARGO (KFGO) – Fargo City Commissioner John Strand is proposing nearly $639,000 in budget reductions and cutting multiple positions as the commission works to approve the budget for next year. Mayor Tim Mahoney’s original budget proposal totaled $133 million. Earlier this month, the commission voted to eliminate the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department and 4.2 positions at Fargo Cass Public Health. Now, Strand…

Fargo Commission Not Only Got An Earful About Cutting DEI, But Also About Rising Taxes

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners voted 4-1 last night to make cuts to the proposed 2025 budget, including ending the DEI program. They cut a total of 6.2 positions including three which are currently occupied and three-point-two that are vacant. The total savings in salary and benefits would be over $680,000 in a budget that is worth $133…

Preliminary 2025 Budget Worth $133 Million Passed By Fargo City Commission 3-2

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Fargo City Commission last night approved a revised preliminary 2025 budget by a vote of 3-2, but not without some opposition. Mayor Tim Mahoney made some changes to his earlier budget plan. It seeks $133 million, up over 11% from the 2024 budget. He says the city budget team has methodically gone through the financial statements…

Mayor Mahoney Presents 2025 Preliminary Budget Setting Off Dispute Over Airport Funding

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Mayor Tim Mahoney’s preliminary 2025 budget for Fargo includes a proposed $13 million, 11.5% budget increase with a 5% cost of living adjustment for city employees. A major part of the discussion was how to fund that pay increase. The city has given Hector International Airport two mills for years, but because of the airport’s estimated…

Fargo and West Fargo Approve 2024 Budgets, One Vote Wasn’t Unanimous

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — The majority of Fargo City Commissioners agree that these are challenging financial times as they approve a 2024 budget including higher property taxes and increased franchise fees for public utilities. But Commissioner Dave Piepkorn was the lone vote against approving the $120 million budget. He once again spoke out against raising the franchise fees from 2%…

Some People in West Fargo & Fargo Share Concerns About Rising Taxes in 2024 Budget

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — West Fargo commissioners hear from the public on the proposed 2024 budget for the city which includes tax increases. The city wants a nearly 5 mill property tax increase which is around $5 per month on the average home. There is an increase in franchise fees, a 4% cost of living salary increase for city…