Lisa Borgen grew up in Moorhead, where she graduated from Moorhead (Go Spuds!) and MSUM (Go Dragons!). She earned her JD from UND School of Law. She owned a law practice in Moorhead, was elected Clay County Attorney in 1998 & 2002. In 2006 Governor Pawlenty appointed her District Court Judge - she was elected again in 2008. Lisa transitioned to the private sector in 2014 and was VP at American Crystal Sugar Co. for over 10 years. Lisa was elected to Moorhead City Council in 2024 and currently serves. She has been a lifelong champion for Moorhead. Her leadership experience, knowledge of Moorhead, government experience, private-sector work, have all formed her ability to effectively communicate, influence, and lead Moorhead's future.
Safe neighborhoods, Responsible Budgeting, Economic Growth. We need a 3rd fire station implemented by a stategic plan. We are a safe community and must maintain full staffing of police, fire and EMS. We need to be lean and fiscally responsible with tax-payer investments and offer quality services for all residents. We need to enhance Border-City Legislation to incentivize businesses to make Moorhead home, and to keep ones we have. We need housing of all types and to incentivize development.
Moorhead City Staff is top notch and professional. We have a robust leadership team, excellent city management, and open communication. We follow open meeting laws, have financial audits yearly, financial documents and budgets are open to the public. We encourage public participation at meetings, follow conflict-of-interest rules and code of ethics. All public notices, documents, meeting agendas, minutes and videos of meetings are readily available on line.
The City of Moorhead has many committees and advisory panels that are open to the public to apply for appointments. These committees meet regularly to discuss core functions of their committee and bring back to City Council. Residents are given an opportunity to address council at every meeting and many do that. Council, Mayor and city management can be contacted by email and phone through the city website. I regularly attend city functions, celebrations, and am available for conversations.
Public safety involves not only police, fire and EMS, but also other city employees and the community at large. We are fortunate to be fully staffed now in police and fire, and must maintain workplaces that encourage long-term retention. Leadership in each department is key to this success. We need to add a 3rd fire station in accord with a strategic plan and budget. Community policing is important to build trust between law enforcement and residents. With full staffing, this is now possible.
I work well with people and I’m just giving the residents of Moorhead a choice. I haven’t seen any progress in this city except the taxes.
Downtown, streets and taxes.
Don’t know until I get to see what’s happening. I get my experience by working.
Will treat them as a resident as I have been for most of my life.
I will use the leadership that oversees the departments to help me and also use the input from the people.
As the former Mayor of Moorhead, I come with knowledge, experience and familarity with the Moorhead community, which I love so much. As a CPA, I am also familiar with financial challenges of today's current budgetary climate. Our small businesses need support, and as a former small business owner, I understand those challenges. My 26 years as a CPA, I worked with and advised small businesses. I am a listener and a communicator. I am ready to take on the role of Mayor again for my beloved Moorhead.
First, affordable housing. Focusing on affordable housing is my highest priority. Families are struggling with rent and housing costs. Secondly, Emergency Reponse Investiment in the City. Getting Moorhead a third Fire Station is important to reduce the amount of time needed to get to any fire in any part of Moorhead. Firefighters need this support and so does our community. Thirdly, civility with our community and amongst ourC council. We must come together respectfully despite any differnces.
Open communication and building relationships from the beginning will be my priority. I operated with ethics, accountability and transparency during my first term as Mayor and intend to do so again. I will listen to concerns through Aregular outreach to the City staff and the Community. As I said to the Council in my meetings when elected the first time, I am a straight shooter who does not tolerate bullying and I expect the same in return.
As in my first term, I will immediately begin "Coffee with the Mayor." I did over 100 of those during my first term and found the informal atmosphere perfect to having community members share their concerns with me. This time, those meetings will be based on topics, so that community members who have concerns can come on those days. I believe in collaboraton and communication with Moorhead and our greater community. I will be out in the community, approachable and listen.
We currently have a emergency response time for some areas of our community that is 3 times longer that the national average. This impacts business costs and risks to our people. When an individual or business contacs 911, every minute matters. I know this from personal experience. Public safety is also about infrastructure and roads, to include underpasses, roundabouts and pedestrian crossings. I will support our firefighers and all first responders, and public safety issues.
