Local elected officials spend hours a week on their government jobs, say they wouldn't have it any other way

FARGO — As the former Cass County Commission chair, it wasn’t uncommon for Chad Peterson to have government meetings in the middle of a workday or to take calls from constituents in the middle of the night. He said he can’t guess how many hours he spent on commission-related work, but he estimated at least two hours a day. That’s on top of his day job as a small business owner and beyond attending twice a month for the County Commission meetings.

Peterson talked about being on calls for national meetings, such as the National Association of Counties Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee. He also was responsible for setting agendas for commission meetings, checking emails, speaking with residents and working with other local leaders. He noted during legislative sessions, he has spent a week in Bismarck advocating for Cass County needs.



“When you just do something as simple as look at your email ...

I’d say actionable emails, I bet I get 20 a day,” he said. “I would say more during the legislative session.” He said he knew what he was getting into when he ran for the office in 2012, and it seems he wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I came into it knowing that I’m my own worst enemy. I really like to engage” Peterson said. “I say bluntly, if I could afford to do this for a full-time job, I would do this for a full-time job.

It is so much fun that I can’t even explain it.” Peterson’s commitment to his commission duties is an example of how much time elected officials spend on their government jobs. “You can spend as much time as you want,” he said.

“I would say the average commissioner is two hours a day.” West Fargo Park District Board President Jake Lauritsen agreed, as far as board members choosing how much time they dedicate to their government work. “I am my own worst enemy,” he said in reference to how much work he chooses to do.

Lauritsen was first elected to his post in 2018. He said he ran for office because he wanted to make sure north West Fargo was represented as south West Fargo grew and attracted the attention of city and park leaders. Old park areas in north West Fargo needed upgrades, Lauritsen said.

He also said he wanted amenities for all ages, not just children. “I just wanted to make sure the citizens had a voice,” he said. “I thought, instead of being a keyboard warrior, I’m going to stick my nose in there.

” Between attending meetings, preparing for topics to discuss at meetings and checking on portfolios he estimated he spends two to three hours a week during the slow months. “In West Fargo, we just went through a new director hire,” he said. “I can tell you from July till the last month that we were putting in five, six, seven hours a week.

” That doesn’t count talking with residents or discussing issues with park employees and local leaders, he said. “The phone calls are every day,” Lauritsen said. “Every day there’s something.

It could be two hours a day with just two phone calls.” He noted he gets paid $244 a month, or about $2,900 a year, for his work on the board. Cass County commissioners make $26,714 a year, while the chair has an annual salary of $27,999, County Administrator Robert Wilson said.

“My hourly rate is probably about $2 an hour,” Lauritsen said. Peterson noted it can be hard to find people to run for office. It’s not uncommon for some local races to attract only one candidate or be uncontested.

Peterson said he was told to run. His first race had five candidates, while Lauritsen ran against four people for one of three seats. The time commitment can deter potential candidates, Peterson said.

Elected officials have to be available at any time and communicate, he said. They also have to be able to defend their decisions, he said. Lauritsen said elected officials will spend more time on their government jobs than they think if their intentions are good.

It’s a tougher job than he thought it would be, but it has made him a better listener, he said. “We put ourselves up to it,” he said. “Yes, we chose this job, and you take the good with the bad.

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We’re definitely not in it for the pay, especially at the park district.” Peterson said he doesn’t understand a person with a 9-5 job does the work that elected officials do, yet a person couldn’t make a living as a county commissioner, city council member or other elected leader. The job isn’t about the money, he said.

“This isn’t a job to me,” Peterson said. “This is just fun.” Peterson’s last day on the job was Nov.

18. Cass County limits commissioners to three successive four-year terms. He and Commissioner Mary Scherling both reached that limit this year.

Tim Flakoll and Joel Vettel took their places. Peterson said he is going to miss the people he worked with the most, adding he was blessed to have 12 years in office. “I was so lucky to be allowed to do the things I did, statewide and nationally,” Peterson said.

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