(Fargo, ND) – Fargo City Commission candidates gathered Tuesday night for a debate hosted by The Flag and WDAY Radio.
Among the topics was spending, and whether or not candidates would vote against a budget that increases spending.
Candidate Michelle Turnberg said she would vote against any budget that increases spending.
“It’s just a matter of making the decision, and finding where that money is going, and where it is not going to go in the future,” she said.
Arlette Preston said the city can return to a budget level such as was pre-COVID, with a caveat.
“We also have to understand that COVID created a lot of issues,” she said. Some of the issues included the raising of costs and the labor market.
“This year, we’re focusing on getting salaries to a level that is competitive,” Preston said.
Preston said she would not be willing to vote against any budget that increases spending.
“We have priorities that we need to fund,” she said.
Nate Pullen said he would vote against increased spending budgets.
John Strand said he will “pledge and commit to not support wasteful spending.”
“There are times where we need to invest more,” he said.
Al Carlson, former state legislator, said budgets are difficult to understand.
“There are many moving parts to it,” he said.
Carlson said commissioners need to look at “all the individual pieces,” and then make a decision.
“We need to understand that the City’s part of this is 19.2 percent,” he said.
Delson Saintal said he will not commit to wasteful spending.
“There are ways to save money,” he said. “It’s either you make more money, or you find ways to take away or look at programs, or be more efficient with the spending.”
Anna Nelson said she agrees with Strand when it comes to wasteful spending.
“You can’t say, for sure, you will be able to cut all of it down and go back to before COVID,” she said. “I think we all want that, but I don’t think it’s realistic right now in this time.”
The seven candidates are vying for two spots on the Fargo City Commission on the June ballot.
