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Moorhead mayor withdraws proposed mayor pro tem language after council objections; appointments later approved
Summary
Mayor Shelley Carlson's initial language naming a mayor pro tem prompted objections from Council member Deb White, who alleged cronyism. The council amended the resolution to remove the mayor pro tem language, clarified legal requirements for certain mayoral appointments, and ultimately approved mayoral appointments as amended.
Mayor Shelley Carlson opened the Moorhead City Council meeting on Jan. 12, 2026, and introduced a resolution to approve mayoral appointments to city boards and commissions.
The proposal touched off a heated exchange after Council member Deb White objected to language in the resolution that referenced naming a mayor pro tem and said the mayor's choice of Council member Lisa Borgen gave the appearance of favoritism. "I'm deeply troubled by Mayor Carlson's request to appoint council member Borgen as mayor pro tem," White said, arguing the action "gives the appearance that you are attempting to use your authority to put your thumb on the scale of the upcoming mayoral…
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