MFDA Finance Committee Meeting – August 26, 2026

See full minutes. 

A regular meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Finance Committee was held on August 26, 2026. Members present: Susan Thompson, Finance Director, City of Fargo; Mike Redlinger, Administrator, City of Fargo; Eric Gjerdevig, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Rick Steen, Manager, Cass County Joint Water Resource District; Jim Kapitan, Cass County Commissioner; David Ebinger, Clay Commissioner; Josh Boschee, Mayor, City of Fargo; Mike Rietz, Assistant City Manager, City of Moorhead and Sarah Heinle, Cass County Finance Director.

Member(s) absent: Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead and Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner.

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mr. Steen called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 2026 MEETING

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Boschee moved to approve the minutes from the July 2026 meeting and Mayor Gjerdevig seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Ebinger moved to approve the order of the agenda and Mr. Kapitan seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

4. NOMINATION FOR CHAIRPERSON OF THE MFDA FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Kapitan nominated Mr. Steen to serve as the chairman of the MFDA Finance Committee and Mr.  Peterson seconded the nomination. No additional nominations were presented and Mr. Peterson moved to close nominations.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Peterson moved to close nominations and Mr. Kapitan seconded the motion and a unanimous ballot was cast. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

5. NOMINATION FOR VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE MFDA FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mr. Kapitan nominated Mayor Boschee to serve as the vice chairman of the MFDA Finance Committee and Mayor Boschee declined the nomination. Mr. Steen inquired with Mr. Peterson to see if he would be willing to serve as the vice chairman. Mr. Peterson accepted and Mr. Kapitan moved to close nominations and unanimously appoint Mr. Peterson to serve as the vice chairman.

MOTION PASSED
Mr. Steen nominated Mr. Peterson to serve as the vice chairman of the MFDA Finance Committee and Mr. Kapitan seconded the motion and a unanimous ballot was cast. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

6. APPROVAL OF BILLS

Ms. Thompson reported that the bills payable through August 19, 2026, total $6,383,383, with CCJWRD being the largest at $4,596,915, and the City of Fargo the second largest at $1,462,107, for reimbursement of in-town projects.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Ebinger moved to approve the bills, and Mr. Kapitan seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the bills were approved as presented.

7. FINANCIAL REPORT

Ms. Thompson reported that the total assets as of July 31, 2026, are $303,974,912; liabilities total

($2,380,643), based on the timing of the cutoff, and the total net cash position is $306,355,555. Ms. Thompson also noted that there has been an increase in sales tax receipts from Cass County and the City of Fargo.

MOTION PASSED

Mayor Boschee moved to approve the financial report as presented and Mr. Ebinger seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

 8. CASH BUDGET REPORT

Mr. Benson provided the July 2026 cash budget and reported that sales tax receipts from the City of Fargo are up 33% and 36% from Cass County. WIFIA draws continue to be taken as interim completion milestones are met. The milestone payments to the developer balance remains at $593,968,459. We continue to receive SRF funds for the City of Fargo in-town projects that are being completed.

9. DA BOARD APPROVAL CONTRACTING ACTIONS

Mr. Bakkegard provided an overview and summary of the following contracting action:

a. Task Order 05, Amendment 10, Project Management Services, CH2m Hill Engineers, Inc., $3,350,000

Additional funds are needed in Subtask A, C and D due to the increased P3 Document Control needs to reach ICE and multiple submittals required for SOP, RDD and ICE documents and delays in the Property Mitigation contracting due to Eminent Domain. All subtasks were anticipated to be winding down in 2026 with staff reduction, but with the delays the reduction has not happened, and the staffing needs are now anticipated to carry over into 2027.

MOTION PASSED

Mr. Ebinger moved to approve contracting action as presented and Mr. Peterson seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, the motion carried.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

a. WIFIA Update

Mr. Shockley reported that draw #3 will be received around September 15, 2026, in the amount of $30,500,000.

11. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on September 23, 2026.

12. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 4:17 PM.