Committee backs bill to give West Fargo mayor a vote on Lake Agassiz Water Authority board

House Bill 1162 would add the mayor of West Fargo as a voting member of the Lake Agassiz Water Authority board of directors. The State and Local Government Committee voted to give the bill a favorable recommendation, 6-0.

Representative Austin Shower (District 13, West Fargo), the bill’s sponsor, told the committee that the West Fargo mayor currently serves only as an associate member without voting power and that West Fargo’s rapid growth gives the city a greater stake in LAWA’s water-policy decisions. “West Fargo's water needs, economic vitality, and future development are deeply tied to the policies adopted by the LAWA board,” Shower said.

Tim Mahoney, mayor of Fargo, also testified in support and described Fargo’s role as a regional water supplier: “Since that time, we're at Fargo, the regional center. We supply water for West Fargo… and a variety of entities around our community. So we've become a regional source.” Mahoney told the committee that adding West Fargo to the board would give a community that is already part of the water catchment area a formal vote at the table.

Senators on the committee discussed board size and voting balance between rural and urban members. Senator Wallin said his concern was making sure the change would not produce an even-numbered board that could lead to ties; other members said adding one member creates an odd-numbered board and avoids that problem.

The clerk recorded the committee’s roll-call vote as: Chair Rohrs — aye; Vice Chair Castaneda — aye; Senator Barta — aye; Senator Brownberger — aye; Senator Lee — aye; Senator Wallen — aye. The committee’s action was recorded as a “due pass.”

If the bill advances from the committee and becomes law, it would change LAWA’s membership rules so that West Fargo’s mayor has full voting status on the authority’s board. The committee record shows support from local officials; the bill was sent on for further consideration.