FARGO - (KFGO) - The Fargo City Commission discussed the influx of immigrants into Fargo Tuesday.
Commissioner Dave Piepkorn says spending by the city, school district and Cass County amounts to millions of dollars in cost to taxpayers. He wants information on how many refugee's are settled here.
Piepkorn is concerned because he says local government has no input and says that amounts to an unfunded mandate. Among his concerns is whether refugee's coming here are law biding citizens.
Commissioner Tony Grindberg says the area is sensitive to the New American refugee population but this is a "pertinent and appropriate discussion to have", referencing the recent stabbings in St. Cloud involving a refugee from Fargo moving to St. Cloud. Grindberg says that resonates with a lot of people.
Mayor Tim Mahoney directed city staff to come up with information and have it ready for discussion at the next commission meeting in two weeks.