Fargo struggles with budget as it approaches final deadline

FARGO — Fargo leaders are struggling to work more police positions into the city s 2027 budget. City commissioners decided Wednesday, Sept. 23, during a Finance Committee meeting that they want a budget that includes market adjustments for underpaid city employees and funding for eight additional officers, double what was initially proposed by city staff. What they could not decide was how to pay for those positions. Commissioners need another meeting to digest information presented at the three-hour meeting and come up with ideas to make cuts, Commissioner Michelle Turnberg said. She said she would not approve a budget that doesn t fund eight additional officers, plus a community services officer, as requested by the Fargo Police Department. We need those eight officers, Turnberg said. It s going to happen. Fargo s four city commissioners and mayor, who make up the finance committee, will meet for four hours starting at 10 a.m. Friday at City Hall. E