FARGO – Two mayoral candidates, six City Commission candidates and a city charter amendment will appear on the April 28 special election ballot.

The deadline for candidates to file came and went Monday afternoon with no one new entering the two races, according to the city auditor’s office.

The mayoral race is between acting Mayor Tim Mahoney and former Commissioner Brad Wimmer. Both have talked about the importance of flood protection and sustaining the city’s growth.

Vying for one commission seat are Mara Brust, Cole Carley, Tony Gehrig, Brad Shaffer, John Strand and Scott Wagner. They, too, emphasize flood protection and sustained growth, differing in the details. Some aren’t sure the city’s flood protection strategy is a good one. Some are more concerned with urban sprawl and others aren’t.

The election was triggered by the death of Mayor Dennis Walaker in December. Mahoney, a commissioner and deputy mayor, resigned his City Commission seat to run for mayor, as required by the city charter. That triggered the commission race.

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The requirement that commissioners resign to run for mayor is itself up for a vote.

Here’s a closer look at some of the issues being discussed by the candidates and some observers:





Flood control

With most of the city south and parts of the far north of Interstate 29 in the 100-year flood plain, flood protection is among the top issues for all candidates. Mahoney, Wimmer and most commission candidates aren’t questioning the strategy of building a diversion channel around the city, a dam in the south and dikes along the Red River.

But Shaffer and Strand have expressed concerns about the most controversial part of the project, which is the dam. Some landowners upstream of the dam are unhappy their land will be used to store water, and Richland and Wilkins counties have filed suit to stop the diversion. Shaffer said the city should compromise.





Urban sprawl

Infill growth is among the top priorities in the Go 2030 long-range plan developed with residents’ input. That means building new homes and businesses on existing, underdeveloped land instead of sprawling farther south. Mahoney, Brust and Strand have been specific about their support for infill growth. Wagner said he wouldn’t want to deter growth even if there is sprawl.





Work force shortage

The need to retain existing workers and attract new ones was identified as a top concern in an informal poll at a Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce event last month. It’s among the top concerns for Mahoney, Brust, Carley and Shaffer. The candidates said it’s important that Fargo is attractive to workers, whether it’s with more housing options, entertainment and culture or great schools.





Basic functions

Basic city functions such as police, fire protection and water treatment were among the top priorities for several candidates. Wimmer and Carley said they want to see police protection improved, with Wimmer complaining that there have been a few too many robberies. Gehrig highlighted the need for a new south end fire hall. He and Wagner both mentioned the need for an expanded water treatment plant, which may cost less through a partnership with West Fargo.





Diversity

As the city grows, some candidates said it needs to embrace diversity more. Brust said she wants new Americans and the LGBT community to feel more welcomed. Strand said he would form a New American Commission to address their needs.





Convention center

Many in the city’s business community, eyeing competition in Bismarck and Grand Forks, are pushing for a new convention center so the city can accommodate more and bigger conventions. A study commissioned by the Fargodome estimated a facility at the dome would cost $52 million. A site downtown has been discussed, but there are no estimates.

Most candidates are open to the idea, though Carley has said he thinks any city-owned convention center is a money loser. Gehrig and Shaffer believe it’s the role of the private sector to build such convention centers, though Shaffer said he’ll keep an open mind as he learns more.

Expect to hear more about these issues as Election Day approaches.

With just five members, including the mayor, the City Commission would see at least one new face and, if Wimmer beats Mahoney, two. Some candidates said recently that they’ve already hit the campaign trail while others are going on break to rest up before battling for public opinion.