Fargo (N.D.) Auditor’s Office Records, 1883-1955

Collection

Identifier: Mss 84

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The City of Fargo Auditor’s Office Records document a wide variety of government functions between 1883 and 1955, particularly those financial in nature. In addition there are ledgers related to sidewalk assessments (1889-1914), licenses issued (1931-1944) and record of ordinances (1933-1955). The records have been organized into four series: Records of Warrants Issued, Check Register, Financial ledgers and Miscellaneous ledgers. The Record of Warrants Issued Series volumes list chronologically all payments and to whom made by warrant for the city of Fargo from December 1, 1886 to December 23, 1930. The first volume begins with warrant 2909. The record for previous warrants evidently was lost or possibly destroyed in the 1893 fire. The second volume in this series is marked B. Volume 12 ends with warrant 112,810. Special headings are given in the volumes for the police and fire department, jail, repairs, board of health, sewer fund, lights, streets and a remarks column. There is only one volume in the Check Register Series which is evidently a continuation of Series I, yet there is a gap of six months (January - June 1931). This volume begins with check number 124,481 and is labeled volume 1. The volume is arranged chronologically by check number, giving the date, whether the funds are from the general or another fund, where posted in the ledger, to whom issued and an account or remarks column. The Financial Ledgers Series is very incomplete with only three volumes. The first volume (1883-1892) is only a summary record by month of expenditures and income by fund. The other two volumes from the 1930's are arranged by fund with the check numbers and to whom issued listed. The Miscellaneous Records Series includes a variety of ledgers documents a number of different city responsibilities. Each is described separately. The Cass volume records all cash income for water and some sprinklers from 1911 to 1917. It is marked volume C; the location of volumes A and B (assuming they existed) is not known. Information given is the date, name of pages, and the amount. The Journal C volume contains monthly summaries of city collections and expenses, which are listed by broad categories. The Bond Register records all bonds issued by the City of Fargo from 1883 to 1944 for special projects such as paving, sewer, water mains, park, and pumping station. The record includes date of purchase, description of project, and amount. It should be noted U. S. Defense and Savings Bonds were purchased during World War II. The License Register volume contains information on all persons and businesses which had to obtain a license to conduct business in the City of Fargo. It is organized by year and then type of license such as plumber, taxi driver, fuel, junk and milk dealers, liquor, building contractors and others. The Contract Record contains handwritten copies of the various legal agreements entered into by the City of Fargo. Examples of such agreements include the building of sidewalks, fire alarm system, telephone system, printing, sewers, etc. The volume does contain an index. This assessment volume, organized chronologically, gives the location of the sidewalks by addition, block, & lot, and the amount assessed. The first section of the Ordinances volume contains proposed ordinances which were never given final adoption by the Board of City Commissioners. These cover the years 1934 to 1944. An introductory note indicates this section is not complete. The main portion of this volume contains the original copies of Ordinances 570 to 955. These cover the period May 15, 1933 to November 16, 1955. Also in the volume is a subject index to the ordinances.

Dates

1883-1955

Creator

Fargo (N.D.). Auditor. (Organization)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The State of North Dakota holds the copyrights.

History

The Fargo City Auditor's Office is responsible for financial and fiscal administration of city services including budgeting, financial reporting, treasury and cash management, debt administration, centralized accounting, utility billing, special assessments administration, risk management, pensions, elections, business licensing, permits and records management. This statement comes from its website (2006).