Alex Nisbet

I work as a regulatory policy specialist with Xcel Energy, where I focus on complex issues involving infrastructure, long-term planning, and public accountability. As an attorney, I’ve represented a wide array of clients and worked to balance competing interests and find practical solutions that deliver results. These are the same skills I’ll bring to the Park Board: thoughtful decision-making, long-term planning, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Personally, my family spends a lot of time in our local parks playing, walking, golfing, and enjoying everything Fargo has to offer.

1. Smart Spending and Planning
Great parks require investment, but they also require discipline. I’ll focus on making sure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and deliver real value to Fargo residents.

2. Affordability and Access
Keeping parks, pools, and programs truly affordable and welcoming for every family, every senior, and every child — because great parks and programs should never be out of reach.

3. Transparency and Communication
Shining a light on what’s available and how decisions are made, so every resident feels informed, heard, and invited to participate. Stronger communication builds trust and brings more voices to the table.

The biggest opportunity is Fargo’s growth. New neighborhoods create a chance to expand and modernize our park system. Another exciting opportunity is leveraging the FM Flood Diversion project by working with surrounding communities and state and federal stakeholders to create a regional recreation area. Done thoughtfully, it could connect communities, expand recreation access, and enhance quality of life.

The biggest challenge is keeping up with growth without overextending financially. We’ll need thoughtful planning to maintain existing assets while investing in new ones. We must balance expansion with sustainability to ensure the system remains accessible and high-quality for all residents.

Our goal should be to invest wisely today while protecting the District’s financial health for future generations.

I would approach this with discipline and transparency:
-Prioritize investments that serve the most residents and align with long-term community needs.
-Evaluate every project using clear metrics - cost, usage, maintenance, and return on money spent.
-Balance new development with maintaining what we already have to avoid costly deferred repairs.
-Pursue partnerships, grants, and user-based funding where appropriate to stretch taxpayer dollars.