Fargo City Commission Meeting Wrap-Up - 04.13.2026
In case you missed the April 13, 2026, Fargo City Commission meeting, here are a few highlights we would like you to know about.
City Commission Approves Timeline for Police Chief Search
The City Commission voted 3-2 on Monday to approve a timeline for selecting Fargo’s next police chief.
Under the plan, the position will be posted April 14 and close April 28. A selection committee will conduct in-person interviews May 5-6. The recommended candidate will be presented to the City Commission on May 11 if an internal candidate is chosen, or July 6 for an external hire.
The plan comes after leadership changes within the Fargo Police Department. Chief Dave Zibolski retired on March 27, and City Commissioners unanimously approved Assistant Chief Travis Stefonowicz as the interim chief effective March 30.
Fargo Receives Grant to Help Combat Emerald Ash Borer
The City of Fargo has been awarded up to $50,000 in reimbursable funding from the North Dakota Forest Service to help mitigate the spread of emerald ash borer, an invasive insect recently confirmed in the city.
The Forestry Division plans to remove about 100 ash trees and grind the stumps, with roughly 100 replacement trees to be planted as part of ongoing efforts to diversify the urban canopy.
The Fargo City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to accept the grant and authorize City staff to proceed with the project, with tree removals expected to begin this month.
First detected in Fargo earlier this year, emerald ash borer has killed millions of ash trees across the U.S. and can destroy untreated trees within a few years. Residents can help slow its spread by avoiding the movement of firewood and sourcing it locally. The City of Fargo maintains a list of contractors that conduct treatments for emerald ash borer.
For more information on emerald ash borer, please visit ndda.nd.gov/EAB. To report suspected infestations, use the same link or leave a voicemail at 701.328.5146 or email reportapest@nd.gov.
Fargo Fire Department Presents Annual Report
Fire Chief Gary Lorenz presented the Fargo Fire Department’s 2025 Annual Report to the City Commission on Monday night, outlining the department’s continued commitment to protecting the community. The full report can be read here.
Key facts from the 2025 Annual Report:
• Fargo firefighters responded to 14,592 calls for service, including 224 fires, 173 hazardous material incidents, 84 technical rescue incidents and 11 water rescue emergencies.
• The Fire Department conducted 8,299 fire safety inspections across 6,489 assigned occupancies, including commercial properties, schools, healthcare facilities and multi-family residences.
• The Fire Department provided fire safety education to nearly 4,500 school children and made contact with more than 3,900 adults through outreach and training programs.
• Fargo experienced one civilian fire death and six civilian fire injuries; firefighter injuries remained minimal while serving the community.
• In 2025, 12 new Fargo firefighters completed training in the Metro Fire Academy hosted in partnership with the Moorhead and West Fargo fire departments.
The Annual Report notes several significant events that occurred in 2025:
• Fire Station 5 reopened in September 2025 following a major reconstruction and renovation project that addressed structural issues and modernized the facility. The project was completed under the estimated $2.5 million budget.
• The Fire Department experienced an increase in call volume, reaching levels comparable to peak response periods in recent years and reflecting continued community growth and service demand.
• Leadership transitioned as Chief Lorenz assumed command of the department in July 2025, building on the foundation established through years of dedicated service by retiring Chief Steven Dirksen.
For more information on the Fargo Fire Department, please visit FargoFire.com.
City Commission Appoints Municipal Airport Authority Member
The City Commission voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Fargo-based businessman Brooks Burgum to the Municipal Airport Authority.
The term of Airport Authority member Jim Kapitan expired on April 8, 2026. Burgum was appointed to a five-year term, ending April 8, 2031.
Residents are encouraged to research and apply for appointment to any of The City of Fargo’s boards, commissions and committees for consideration in the event of future vacancies. For more information on the responsibilities of each board, commission and committee, please visit FargoND.gov/GettingInvolved.