FARGO — The final 2026 budget for the city of Fargo is slightly higher than its preliminary budget, but still avoids a $6.8 million budget shortfall.

Fargo City Commissioners approved the final 2026 budget on Monday, Sept. 29. The $140.7 million final budget had few changes from the $140.2 million preliminary budget, approved in August. It includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for staff, an increase in garbage rates and expense cuts across city government departments.

Commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the budget, with commissioners Dave Piepkorn and Michelle Turnberg voting "no."

Mayor Tim Mahoney said the budgeting process was more transparent than ever this year. In future years, capital investments could prove a challenge in budgeting, he warned.

“That’ll be the difficulty — a l

See Full Page