Nonpartisan
Candidate Questionnaire
What motivated you to run for the Cass County Commission? (100 words max)
I am running for re-election to continue serving the residents of Cass County by delivering pragmatic solutions delivering county services and advocate for common-sense responsible government.
What personal, professional, or community experiences have best prepared you to serve as a Cass County Commissioner? (100 words max)
Commissioner Tony Grindberg was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2022 and currently serves as the Chairman. His portfolios include the County Administration, Human Resources, and the Finance Office. Current committee assignments include County Building Committee, Metro Flood Diversion Authority, Metro Flood Diversion Finance, Metro Flood Diversion Planning, Flood Sales Tax Committee, RRRDC Authority, Fargo Renaissance Authority, GFMEDC.
Grindberg served 22 years in the North Dakota State Senate, serving as Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Republican Caucus leader and Senate President Pro Tempore. He served as Chairman of the North Dakota Economic and Workforce Development legislative committees and the Council of State Governments, Economic Development committee. His tenure as a State Senator focused on issues important to North Dakota, including economic/workforce development legislation, higher education, strategic infrastructure investments, student scholarships, fiscal responsibility, lower taxes and common-sense solutions for government. In 2013, he led the state legislative funding plan to begin the FM Flood Diversion project.
His public service experience also includes being elected one term as a Fargo City Commissioner from 2016 to 2020 His portfolios included, Planning & Development, Fargo Housing Authority and MetroCOG.
If elected as a County Commissioner, what would be your top three priorities for Cass County, and why? (100 words max)
Economic Growth
Public Safety
Sound Fiscal Management
Looking ahead five years, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges facing Cass County? (100 words max)
Measurable economic growth with Innovate28 public/private partnership
Investments in Public Safety
Responsible government efficiency
Budget flexibility and responsible taxation
Resources to invest in public infrastructure
What strategies or initiatives would you support to attract, retain, and expand businesses in Cass County? Please include your perspective on the role of local incentives in economic development. (100 words max)
Innovate28 is key initiative for economic growth. As our collaborative plan progresses, assessment of goals and identifying/streamlining resources for return on investment will be key beginning in 2027.
Workforce availability remains one of the most significant challenges facing employers across the region. What role can the County play in supporting workforce attraction, retention, and development? (100 words max)
County should continue to support with expectation will of achieve workforce pillars outlined in Innovate28 2025-2028 plan.
In 2023, F-M Metro COG conducted a study of the metro area’s housing market that identified the need for 16,400 housing units across the region by 2033. What policies or tools can Cass County use to support the development of attainable, market-rate housing? (100 words max)
Support local communities to evaluate their building permits and codes to reduce soft costs that impact new home construction. Regulations have become too excessive for some of our communities. Another example is, challenge FEMA and drop the LOMAR requirements ahead of flood diversion certification. Doing so, will significantly decrease the costs of new construction.
How critical is public safety to the vibrancy and vitality of our region, and what approaches would you support to strengthen public safety in Cass County? (100 words max)
Cass County Commission holds public safety as our top priority. I led the creation of a collaborative public safety task force in 2026. Results and recommendations will be available late 2026 to build on a plan to ensure law enforcement and our communities have the tools required for deliver what residents expect.