Cass County Commission Candidate Ben Hanson: I have a proven track record of growing our economy

(Fargo, ND) -- A Cass County Commission Candidate is sharing why he is looking to represent District 2 in the upcoming General Election.

Ben Hanson is one of the two District 2 candidates looking to represent Cass County. He joined WDAY Midday to speak on multiple topics like the importance of the board, improving public employee retention, "fair and universal" property taxes, and leading with empathy within the community.

Hanson placed a high importance on employee retention, especially within public sector institutions like the county jail and Fargo Cass Public Health. He says there needs to be more discussion, and that the county can't "keep kicking the can down the road" when it comes to employee pay.

"If you lose those employees and have to seek and train new ones, that's going to cost you far more in the future, "said Hanson, "When it comes to the Cass County Jail, when it comes to public health, there is a safety risk there too. You need to be safe, and I want to make sure Cass County is doing that."

Hanson also spoke about property taxes. He says the commission should look to levy taxes on a county level in a "fair and universal" way. Hanson made an example, saying Amazon was looking for a 22 million dollar reduction in property taxes, while in the same meeting, an elderly North Fargo resident is seeing double digit property tax increases year after year and was having a hard time seeking an appeal. He says the commission needs to remember who they work for.

"Your job as an elected official should be to care about the person who lives in your community, and pays taxes in your community. Not the out-of-state company who can hire somebody in a suit-and-tie to fly in from Seattle to try and pay a less of a percentage of a tab that someone who has been living in a house and in the community for 90 years."

Ben Hanson is looking to represent District 2 in the upcoming November General Election. You can learn more about voting in North Dakota by clicking here.