North Dakota State Rep. Scott Wagner, Fargo
FARGO (KFGO) – North Dakota State Rep. Scott Wagner is opposing a proposed overhaul of Fargo’s municipal government, warning it would create political silos and grant excessive power to the mayor.
The ballot measure would expand the city commission into a six-member council and establish a full-time mayor with veto authority. Overriding a mayoral veto would require a four-member supermajority.
“To me at the end of the day, the mayor becomes exponentially more powerful,” Wagner said Tuesday on KFGO’s Afternoon’s Live with Tyler Axness. “If the council wants to override that six-member council, they have to have four members.”
Wagner, a Republican representing District 45 and former Cass County commissioner, also criticized dividing the city into ward districts, arguing it fosters parochial interests over citywide goals. He noted that Fargo’s manageable geographic size allows officials to represent all residents effectively without dividing the city into isolated districts.
Additionally, Wagner raised concerns about expected low voter turnout for the upcoming standalone special election.
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