MFDA Planning Committee Meeting – January 8, 2026

See full minutes. 

A meeting of the Metro Flood Diversion Authority Planning Committee was held on January 8, 2026. The following
members were present: Bernie Dardis, Mayor, City of West Fargo; Shelly Carlson, Mayor, City of Moorhead; Kevin
Campbell, Clay County Commissioner; Rick Steen, Cass County Joint Water Resource District and Dr. Tim Mahoney,
Mayor, City of Fargo.

Member(s) absent: Tony Grindberg, Cass County Commissioner.

1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Mahoney called the meeting to order at 2:10 PM. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present.

2. APPROVAL OF THE DECEMBER 2, 2025, MINUTES
MOTION PASSED
Mayor Carlson moved to approve the minutes from the December 2, 2025, meeting and Mayor Dardis
seconded the motion. On a voice vote, the motion carried.

3. APPROVE THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
The order of the agenda was not approved.

4. 2026 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRIORITIES
In Mr. Benson’s absence, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Bakkegard, Mr. Barthel and Mr. Shockley introduced the executive
director’s 2026 priorities:

2026 Project Focus Areas

Board Policy and Guidance

Finances (4 legs of the stool)

Construction Commissioning and Operations & Maintenance Transition Plan

5-Year Strategic Plan

There was significant dialogue around funding source concerns, final costs from the USACE and the timing of the refund from the USACE. The concern that sales tax receipts from the City of Fargo and Cass County will remain as they were in 2025 and the concern that all the WIFIA funds will be drawn in 2026 were also discussed. There was also dialogue regarding the transition to the operations and maintenance phase of the project and whether we are ready. With the 2026 election, there will be new members, who may not be educated on the project, and we need to be ready to address the questions. The public needs to be educated on the timing of FEMA requirements and how it pertains to flood insurance. The complete MFDA Executive Director 2026 Priorities document can be read in its entirety at
www.fmdiversion.gov.

5. OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business to discuss.

6. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be February 12, 2026.

7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:09 PM.