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Fargo commission directs staff to study full-time mayor and adding two commissioners
Summary
The Fargo City Commission voted 4-1 to direct city administration, the city attorney and human resources to research a transition to a full‑time mayor effective July 1, 2026, and to study whether the commission should increase from five to seven members. Commissioners asked staff to return with implementation options and cost estimates.
The Fargo City Commission on Monday directed the city administrator, the city attorney and the human resources department to research a transition to a full‑time mayor position effective July 1, 2026, and to study adding two seats to the five‑member commission.
The motion, advanced by Commissioner Strand, passed after an amendment from Commissioner Kolpack to explicitly include study of expanding the commission. The final roll call was Kolpack—yes; Strand—yes; Peppcorn—no; Turnberg—yes; Mahoney—yes.
Commissioners said they want staff to return with concrete proposals on structure, costs and timeline. "If we're going to explore and research and vet having a full time mayor whatever that would look like, how that would end up being, in my head now's the time to do that so I advance this motion to direct administration and staff and legal to formalize that proposal and bring it back to us," Commissioner Strand said.
The amendment to study adding two commissioners grew out of a recent community engagement survey, Commissioner Kolpack said, and was added to ensure the review included options for a seven‑member body. "Because from the research we just recently received from the community engagement survey, it clearly is something that the community wants us to take a look at," Kolpack said.
Commissioner Peppcorn expressed concern about cost and adding bureaucracy. "We're in a process of reducing bureaucracy and government, not expanding it," Peppcorn said. He asked that the staff report include salary estimates and the likely need for additional support staff if the mayor becomes full time.
Staff and the city attorney were directed to return with proposals that include implementation steps, estimated budgets and any required charter or ordinance changes. Mayor and commission office space was noted as available: commissioners said chambers upstairs had been outfitted to seat seven in anticipation of a possible expansion.
The commission did not decide policy or alter compensation Monday; the vote only directed staff to research options and report back.
What's next: staff will prepare a formal report with financial and legal analyses for a future meeting; the commission will consider the results and any ordinance or ballot steps necessary ahead of next summer's election cycle.
