To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Fargo —

Your committee, appointed to attend the first meeting of the Municipal League of North Dakota, makes report of said visit as follows:

Delegates were met at the depot in Grand Forks by representatives from the various municipalities attending the meeting and escorted to the banquet hall, where an open discussion of municipal topics followed.

Grand Forks, as host city, had the largest representation and led many of the discussions. Following the banquet, our committee toured the city’s business district and visited several of its notable properties, including a corner lot and brick block once sold for $17,000 and now yielding an annual rental of $8,000. City representatives noted it as one of the most profitable properties in the United States, given that the original investment required no improvements.

Discussions also centered on paving costs and methods. Grand Forks reported paying higher rates for certain materials than Fargo, sparking valuable comparisons of local approaches to infrastructure projects.

Though time was limited, and the committee was unable to inspect the city’s filtration plant, they reported on Grand Forks’ water metering system and utility rates, which ranged from 50 cents per thousand gallons for initial use to scaled rates for higher consumption. The average small consumer paid between $18 and $24 annually.

Formation of the State Municipal League

The State Municipal League was formally organized with:

• Mayor M. F. Murphy of Grand Forks as President
• Alderman C. A. Bowers as Vice President
• Chas. J. Evans of Grand Forks as Secretary
• A. C. McConville of Grafton as Treasurer

An executive committee was also established, including:
Wm. Snyder (Williston), Karl Isaacson (Fordville), G. P. Johnson (Northwood), E. A. Williams (Bismarck), L. E. Wineman (Devils Lake), Pierce Bluett (Jamestown), and H. Halvorson (Minot).

The next meeting was scheduled for January 1913, during the legislative session, to bring forward issues affecting city governments. Topics included tax procedures, sewer and water system standards, and municipal accountability.

One proposal called for county treasurers to issue tax receipts in triplicate, with one copy filed with the city auditor — allowing cities to more accurately track revenues and fund allocations.

Sharing Knowledge for Stronger Cities

A central purpose of the new League was to share knowledge and best practices among cities. When one community solved a problem, others could learn from its experience — saving time and avoiding costly trial and error. This commitment to collaboration and shared growth remains a cornerstone of the North Dakota League of Cities today.

Constitution and Membership

The League’s original Constitution and By-Laws established annual dues based on population:

• Cities under 1,000 residents: $3.00
• Cities between 1,000 and 3,000: $5.00
• Cities of 3,000 or more: $10.00

Membership classes included:

• Active Members – current city officials with full voting rights
• Honorary Members – former city officials who could remain members by paying $1.00 annually
• Associate Members – individuals or companies connected to municipal services or publications, eligible for participation but without voting privileges

Voting rights were structured to ensure fairness, allowing each municipality one collective vote on key issues such as meeting locations and officer elections — ensuring equal representation regardless of city size.

Continuing the Legacy

Although the first meeting was modest, with six to eight cities represented and 20 to 30 total delegates, the foundation was clear: a shared vision for collaboration, accountability, and progress in municipal governance across North Dakota.

Respectfully submitted,
J. A. Jardine, C. A. Bowers, C. W. Rupert, A. R. Watkins
September 30, 1912