[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6457947,"mediaKeyId","5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257","parentId",5825537,"title","West Fargo approves $275,000 forgivable incentive to keep Sign Badgers in city","audioSeconds",843,"startMs",1771000,"endMs",2614000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257&start=1771&end=2614","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257/thumbnail_1771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457947/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-approves-275000-forgivable-incentive-to-keep-Sign-Badgers-in-city","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457947-b57f9ec4c720fc8120cc7e0bfde3a2d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773244121&Signature=jN9r5cIEzbEkQCqyfVamJtiw9H2KWBoY88scsTzg2DQ1~zsO--6feJcp5y7ZFltAN58QjIFnZyQYla2r5vigex1rn0WXmlwHG4RirC~4h3mpTu0QkhzKaredSFXFZju4kDkW3iAM0IsBG7T3l32f7Tzbzy-QYQjRYwhvId72rq99OFENk6RJYDBULHtJRDHQEQMul8~-NqFhZIzhYcB52ad39ywit3qb-dLqBy2W-csZ432SjQIe4BPP75PduyfAuYPTwzPIBrub~ZUVt4agxItZszzWFLb8MRVgyD0xrR4NhlWuGUZHA7TFKJ-7IVUdhe6MDeD7dTTmg9L0HyITUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Fargo, ND","date","2025-09-23T16:42:07.86Z","article","The West Fargo City Commission on Monday approved a $275,000 business incentive for Sign Badgers, a production and signage company that is seeking to relocate into a roughly 5,000-square-foot West Fargo space rather than a competing Fargo site.

The incentive, funded from the city’s economic development sales tax and structured as a forgivable loan over five years, passed 4–1. Commissioner Olsen moved to approve and Commissioner Zundell seconded; the clerk recorded the tally as four ayes and one nay.

City Economic Development Director Casey Sanders Bergman said Sign Badgers was founded in West Fargo and has operated here for about 15 years. “The request before you today is $275,000, funded through economic development sales tax and is to be used as a forgivable loan over a period of five years,” Sanders Bergman said in presenting the application and EDAC’s recommendation for approval.

Dawson, representing Sign Badgers, told commissioners he is investing “a significant 6‑figure investment into the business” and said the proposed fit‑out would be roughly 25% office and 75% production space. He also said the Fargo option required no tenant fit‑up contribution from him, which was a driving factor in the company’s request for assistance to remain in West Fargo.

Several commissioners pressed for more detail on the company’s investment and metrics tied to forgiveness. Commissioner Zundell said the forgiveness terms were “very vague” and asked whether job retention or performance targets would be added. Sanders Bergman said the city can require a business incentive agreement drafted with the city attorney to include job‑retention numbers and a forfeiture or clawback provision; he noted commissioners could ask staff to add specific markers before finalizing an agreement.

Opponents of the size of the incentive argued the amount was large relative to the requested tenant fit‑up and the business’s current sales. Commissioner Zundell compared the request to a prior incentive for a much larger warehouse and said he had “a tough time with this.” Dawson said he anticipates growth and described long‑term plans to keep production in West Fargo and expand regionally.

The commission and staff discussed how the fit‑out dollars would remain in West Fargo if Sign Badgers later outgrew the space: Sanders Bergman said the funds would be used for tenant improvements rather than portable equipment, and would therefore stay with the building for a future tenant if the business left.

The motion passed 4–1. The commission directed staff to prepare a written business incentive agreement that can include forgiveness schedule details and clawback language for inclusion in the final contract.

Proper names noted in the staff packet included Sign Badgers and Rusted Properties (the West Fargo location’s representative); staff materials and a company summary were included in the commission packet.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of West Fargo City Commission Meeting - Monday, September 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The West Fargo City Commission approved a $275,000 forgivable loan from economic development sales tax to help Sign Badgers fit out a West Fargo production and office space, 4–1 after debate over amount and enforceable job or clawback conditions.","taxTitle","West Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota","taxId",50876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457934,"Votes at a glance: West Fargo City Commission actions, Sept. 22, 2025",7081,90000,7171000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257&start=90&end=7171","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257/thumbnail_90000.jpg","/articles/6457934/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-West-Fargo-City-Commission-actions-Sept-22-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457934-16ef603b529903210acb31b0abb08e65/orig.mp4?Expires=1773244121&Signature=P-h6PaC8c6FjX~pFWM~HxwUrR3bkUuKgj12Th~F6tE2-gnnXFJPxFrlALBkCFCt1KqLVdlHOsR8X~JVx4FdIsp3ZV2v0GaHJrC~QYAJkFd5VDdNJnE-Yy62b13LwavX5I9GEscVlf7mFtcG-tuOaDFawVrnWfCW0-1B-oOwdK6Wgh7V-P3Fv5NRpct6LaWh4KpJhpRqqOiu92uBes6ti-yfY0KKfjg9pxTyMLyQmStxXKcoGpDm2u5H~lkRRMrgDdQmDz-BL46iD7K9CgRwb8gnYtlHW91uhXZEDqH4mqz6xtJiHJSlAq9kiXchbqyJrZVg~Tz9KhVkNy6JcPCfofg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo City Commission took multiple formal actions at its Monday, Sept. 22 meeting. This summary lists each action recorded in the meeting minutes, with the motion, mover/second when identified, and the outcome.

• Approve order of the agenda (amendment to move gaming item to regular agenda). Motion passed (aye), recorded as carried.

• Approve minutes of Sept. 8, 2025. Moved by Commissioner Olsen; second by Commissioner Anderson. Motion carried.

• Approve special assessment meeting minutes of Sept. 15, 2025. Motion carried.

• Building permits (consent agenda item G moved into regular earlier and then recused by Commissioner Jorgensen). Motion to approve building permits carried 4 votes with 1 recusal; mover Commissioner Anderson; second Commissioner Zundell.

• Approve amended consent agenda (items A–F, H and I; excluding G). Motion carried.

• Public comment: David Withy commented on the budget (no action required).

• Approve gaming site authorization for Devils Lake American Legion Post 24 at the Lights Event Center (item 2a). Motion to approve carried (aye), mover Commissioner Anderson; second Commissioner Jorgensen.

• Accept 2024 audit presentation and findings (Eide Bailly). Motion to accept audit; moved by Commissioner Zundell; second by Commissioner Olsen. Vote: carried (unanimous). Auditor reported an unmodified/clean opinion for fiscal year 2024 and noted findings including recurring journal entry adjustments, segregation of duties concerns, and a single‑audit for federal awards (no findings).

• Approve business incentive request for Sign Badgers: motion carried 4–1 (see separate article for details).

• Approve final 2026 City of West Fargo budget as presented. Motion carried unanimously (mover Commissioner Zundell; second Commissioner Olsen).

• Access request: approve full access onto Twelfth Avenue at 475 Twelfth Avenue NE with conditions and owner‑responsibility amendment (motion carried 3–2). See separate article for details.

• Approve final plat and subdivision agreement: FM Diversion Mapleton Subdivision (A25‑12). Motion carried.

• Approve final plat and subdivision agreement: FM Diversion Warren First Subdivision (A25‑13). Motion carried.

• Approve second reading of rezoning ordinance A25‑17 Cheyenne Second Edition (rezoning South Elementary School property from R‑2 to P). Motion carried.

• Approve project: Improvement District No. 3009 — First Avenue East reconstruction (Cheyenne Street to Fourth Avenue East). Motion to approve engineer’s report and direct preparation of plans and specs carried.

• Accept bids and award contract: Project 1351 SA‑27 sanitary lift station rehabilitation. Staff recommended award to ICS (base $1,446,400), CC Steel (mechanical $125,000), and JDP Electric (electrical $381,587); commission accepted bids and awarded the contracts.

• Approve Improvement District No. 3008 — Meadow Ridge reconstruction; approve engineer’s report, direct preparation of plans/specs and task order for basic services. Motion carried.

• Approve sewer budget line item adjustment for 2025: increase chemical line item from $150,000 to $350,000 (increase $200,000). Motion carried.

• Approve resolution authorizing participation in national opioid settlements (Purdue bankruptcy trust opt‑in). Motion carried; city attorney advised participation unless the city had separate claims to pursue. Any settlement receipts will follow existing local agreements for regional programming.

• Appoint representative and alternate to Cass‑Clay Interagency Council on Homelessness: Mayor Dardis designated representative; Commissioner Zundell designated alternate.

• Miscellaneous administrative approvals and reports; meeting adjourned.

The list above is drawn from the meeting transcript and the motions recorded in the minutes. For full text of motions, supporting staff reports and attachments (including plats, engineering reports and the complete budget book), refer to the city packet posted on the City of West Fargo website.","Summary of motions approved or acted on at the West Fargo City Commission meeting, Sept. 22, 2025. Includes consent agenda approvals, gaming authorization, audit acceptance, plats, rezoning, contracts and other formal actions from the meeting record.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457937,"Commission approves full driveway access on Twelfth Avenue; landowner to cover reinstallation costs if city later restores median",1024,3916000,4940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257&start=3916&end=4940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257/thumbnail_3916000.jpg","/articles/6457937/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/Commission-approves-full-driveway-access-on-Twelfth-Avenue-landowner-to-cover-reinstallation-costs-if-city-later-restores-median","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457937-4d23b0ae29e4da0e082d5c123afb192c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773244121&Signature=Q7JaMy4vdtsx4~WUj4Thnk9xLvltJGlcFJon~2P7bzauGVTFIR28SBnAEDzrXUCOnCcPzVDbZih~Vs74UoOSJUuSchLWEdBGZcjTo25wDwRbupz9sBJaS2VkELln8X-XHTgvgcy5MO1UxQyVRQtDJoA62e0N5Refimtcq-kh7LeQyC8~s8QvswyUx6EYLjVXsIg3Ht-Zku05HscSb2odqs6bXHyaoHzzyBk70s373-T372Bj5MMEIdECat5WmiyVuKCrgBRgfMkmV8HJb-oTCwklm5OIl2GCWSZgEYrGw3jzrJt1tjxBbdUHhGwQYG2FN95e~sJq1LJmymsWMcQqxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo City Commission on Monday approved a request to remove a raised concrete median on Twelfth Avenue Northeast to provide full driveway access to an adjacent salvage‑yard property, with conditions that the applicant waive certain protest rights and be responsible for the eventual cost of reconstructing the median if the city decides to re‑install it.

Aaron Nelson, Director of Planning and Zoning, explained the request concerns the property at 475 Twelfth Avenue NE, the site of what staff described in the packet as a salvage yard. Nelson said the existing driveway is right‑in/right‑out because of a raised median that extends roughly 350 feet east of the nearby railroad tracks. He told commissioners staff did not object to removal of the median at this time but recommended approval be conditioned on the applicant’s waivers so the city could act in future if traffic volumes rise.

Nelson summarized staff recommendations: “The approval of the applicant’s request be conditioned on the applicant’s waiver of a right to protest any future decision by the city to reinstall the raised median and or to otherwise restrict access if conditions warrant, as well as the applicant’s waiver of the right to protest any costs for such improvements, that may be assessed in accordance with the city's infrastructure funding policy.”

City engineering staff said drivers had been making unsafe U‑turns near the railroad and that reconfiguring the center turn lane could reduce those movements. City Engineer Jerry Wallace and engineering staff explained the city would normally assess a share of future reinstallation costs to benefiting properties but recommended securing the applicant’s written waiver so the city could act without protracted protest proceedings if traffic patterns change.

Commissioners debated safety, precedent and fairness. Some commissioners questioned whether an alternate local street (Eleventh Avenue) could be used for access to avoid altering the arterial. Others sought to ensure the property owner would bear the expense if the city later closed the access and reinstalled a median. In a compromise amendment commissioners added language to the access agreement requiring the property owner to pay 100% of the cost to reconstruct a median at that location should the city later decide to do so; the amended motion passed 3–2.

The commission’s action directs the city to approve full access at the described Twelfth Avenue location, record the access agreement to run with the property, and keep the option to restore a raised median if future traffic conditions warrant. Staff will require permitting and that removal work be completed by a licensed contractor in good standing with the city.","The commission approved removal of a raised median on Twelfth Avenue Northeast to permit full access to a salvage‑yard parcel, conditioned on the property owner’s agreement to waive certain protests and to assume the cost to reinstall a median in the future; the motion passed 3–2 after debate about safety and precedent.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457942,"West Fargo commission adopts final 2026 budget; property tax revenue up 5.4% under new state cap rules",1308,2646000,3954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257&start=2646&end=3954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825537-d1c2f8afee1a8647c733fc4145251257/thumbnail_2646000.jpg","/articles/6457942/West-Fargo/Cass-County/North-Dakota/West-Fargo-commission-adopts-final-2026-budget-property-tax-revenue-up-54-under-new-state-cap-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457942-22a9a545079b32fb39c9041d683aca73/orig.mp4?Expires=1773244121&Signature=duWmuv-OlMyRrwnizSi25unAOxnNNptnVFs9F32mQ82W5uGN6G0GV~Ed9piRgvpTZATecLLxMzvsMub~TMXpm1cqr7VV7RLEsJosI0BjoWaXYPXPeDnHY4Rqf8xG5ubVcPEws0a7JlBjhOPrFHyS881K-2oc7a7VRACkzJZhoNcqtl0scXFBNYVM4bJlFNm-iwny3ZLObt-onr~eI6rP4rHqrndQgjJmHYBt63tQOoVUGBVes2BfzqYEYnTWch8QVT0HzYGrc5f3~5TucsndnhE-DNgQuQH1F27Gt2NJ4oxdFhKV2O-8zRLUzfZ7NvCgmcP4q0BKWUKPQ8tUhgLnpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Fargo City Commission approved its final 2026 budget on Monday, adopting a spending plan that the city says balances the General Fund without drawing on reserves while pausing new full‑time staffing requests and providing a 2.5% cost‑of‑living adjustment for current employees.

City Administrator Dustin Scott and Finance Director Willie Galindo presented the budget and its updated memo. Scott told the commission, “The General Fund is balanced without the use of reserves.” The packet added this afternoon a section explaining how the new state law limiting property tax increases contributed to a 5.4% increase in property tax revenue that is included in the budget calculations.

Scott said the 5.4% figure reflects the state’s 3% statutory cap plus allowable new growth in the tax base; the city apportioned the resulting property‑tax dollars among the General Fund, the municipal library fund, the municipal airport fund and the city’s share of special assessments based on departmental needs. Galindo explained the city calculated property tax revenue as a combined dollar amount and then allocated portions to each fund rather than applying the cap to each fund separately.

The budget preserves existing services while calling for discipline: the administration reported that departments together found more than $3 million in reductions from initial requests and that capital sales tax funds will be used to support certain approved projects. Scott and Galindo stressed that some funds show deficits on a single‑year basis in the budget because they reflect multi‑year capital commitments and the city plans to use existing cash balances and prior bond proceeds to cover those projects.

During public comment, resident David Withy urged commissioners to focus on productivity and questioned the use of capital projects sales tax to support personnel costs, noting that “for two years in a row now we’re using the capital projects sales tax fund to fund, street crew.” Withy said personnel‑related costs — salaries, healthcare and retirement — have driven larger increases than overall spending.

After discussion, Commissioner Zundell moved to approve the final 2026 budget and Commissioner Olsen seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The city must submit the final budget to the county by Oct. 10; preliminary tax statements will be mailed by the county in December under the new timeline. The budget book and supporting schedules are posted on the city website, the administration said.","The commission approved the final 2026 budget that pauses new FTEs, provides a 2.5% COLA, balances the general fund without reserves, and reflects a 5.4% increase in property tax revenue under recent state law (includes 3% cap plus new growth).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Fargo approves $275,000 forgivable incentive to keep Sign Badgers in city

Votes at a glance: West Fargo City Commission actions, Sept. 22, 2025

Commission approves full driveway access on Twelfth Avenue; landowner to cover reinstallation costs if city later restores median

West Fargo commission adopts final 2026 budget; property tax revenue up 5.4% under new state cap rules