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 race."

Mayor Carlson said she selected Borgen because "she has sufficient time and . . . a very lengthy background in presiding over meetings," and described the pro tem role as occasional coverage when the mayor is unavailable. Council member Borgen responded that she "has not announced that I'm gonna be running for mayor. I am considering it," and said she would serve if the mayor asked her to.

City Attorney Shockley told the council the city charter vests appointment of a mayor pro tem with the mayor and that the council does not vote on the pro tem appointment. Following the attorney's explanation, Council member Heather Niesemeyer moved to amend the resolution by striking the mayor pro tem language; that amendment passed on a voice vote.

The council then took a roll-call vote on the mayoral appointments as listed. The recorded tally was Matson No, Niesemeyer Yes, Moore Yes, White No, Borgen Yes, McDougall Yes and Nelson Yes. After the vote, City Attorney Shockley advised that some mayoral appointments to intergovernmental or contractually required boards (for example, the Metro Flood Diversion Authority planning committee and the Red River Regional Dispatch Center) require unanimous council approval; the recorded vote had not been unanimous.

To resolve the dispute and avoid delaying necessary appointments, Mayor Carlson withdrew the proposed pro tem selection and proposed reinstating Chuck Hendrickson to the mayor pro tem duties. The council then moved to approve mayoral appointments to committees, boards and commissions, as amended, and approved the resolution by voice vote.

A citizen, Janine Hansen, indicated she wanted to speak on the matter but the mayor noted public comment cannot interrupt a motion in process. The council then moved on to the next agenda item.

The council did not adopt a new formal policy on how mayoral appointments will be handled in future election cycles; the city attorney reiterated the charter authority and recommended clearer packet language to avoid similar disputes.