Former West Fargo City Administrator says Commission questioned leadership

WEST FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) - After seven years as the City of West Fargo’s Administrator, Tina Fisk has abruptly resigned her position. City officials say Fisk submitted her letter of resignation on the morning of Wednesday, March 15.

At that time, city officials couldn’t provide an explanation as to why or what lead up to her exit. There was no investigation against Fisk in the days and weeks leading up to her resignation, according to the city. Her departure is effective immediately.

Valley News Live filed an open records request to learn more about what could have lead to Fisk’s resignation. Her letter to Commission President Bernie Dardis starts by saying, “Leaders are people that do what is right, not what is easy.” Fisk goes on to say, “A true leader wants a team that feels supported, respected, and trusts that their best interests are at heart. That is what we have with West Fargo Staff.”

Fisk then wrote that city commissioners had approached her about her leadership style. “Members of the commission informed me that the city needs to go in a different direction and my type of leadership is not what they are looking for,” the resignation letter said. “My hope is that you get together as a commission and support this staff, trust this staff and allow them to continue to be the amazing people they are.”

The West Fargo City Commission accepted Fisk’s resignation at their meeting on Monday, March 20. Assistant City Administrator, Dustin Scott, will fill in as interim city administrator.

Fisk ended her resignation letter by saying, “This will allow those commissioners that want change to work on a new direction.”

The open records request also included Fisk’s personnel file. A complaint of workplace harassment and bullying was filed against Tina Fisk in 2018. The City of West Fargo interviewed those involved and determined there were no violations of city policy at that time.