FARGO (KFGO) - Fargo City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn wants outside auditors to examine local refugee resettlement costs of Lutheran Social Services, the non-profit group that handles the program in the state.
Piepkorn has been critical of the program, saying it's an unfunded mandate costing local taxpayers millions. He told commissioners last night, he doesn't trust information received from L-S-S. "I have no confidence, I have no certainty L-S-S is telling us the truth at any time." He says for the benefit of taxpayers, the city has to get to the bottom of this. Piepkorn wants the state auditor involved.
Commissioner John Strand says answers are needed about the costs associated with resettlement. But he criticized Piepkorn for his comments. He also says he's "perplexed" that Piepkorn never brought up the refugee question during previous budget talks. He also says Piepkorn's approach is sending negative signals about Fargo to national media.
Earlier this month, commissioners directed the Human Relations Commission to study the issue. It's due to report back its findings in February.