The Special Assessment Commission in Fargo heard a formal protest from a manager for Comfort King over this summer’s road work and answered a resident’s question about a 2024 resurfacing charge. Steve Bladholm, chairman of the Special Assessment Commission, led the public hearing and noted city staff were present to explain assessments and answer questions.

The protest came from Ben, manager of Comfort King in Fargo, who said the crews working on the project led to “us lose 34 to 40% of our customers for 3 months straight with no assistance from the city,” and said adding a special assessment “puts a burden on local businesses” already under pressure from online competitors. Ben said the company’s owner wants to contest the assessment; the protest was recorded at the hearing for referral to the City Commission.

City staff explained that the infrastructure funding policy adopted by the City Commission sets how special assessments are calculated in the district. According to staff, properties are charged by zone — reflecting arterial and local benefits — and the policy uses a capped cost to limit what property owners pay for certain rehabilitation or concrete spot-repair projects. Staff said the capped approach and the 50% assessment for a capped concrete spot repair are consistent across the district for work north of 30 Second Avenue. City staff confirmed the matter will be considered by the City Commission at its Sept. 29 meeting.

A separate resident who said she lives at 1026 Bridal asked whether a notice was for an upcoming project or for work already completed. City staff answered that the mailing referenced the mill-and-overlay resurfacing project completed in 2024.

The hearing lasted a short period; after taking the protest and the resident’s question, the commission took a brief recess, returned and then adjourned on a motion. No vote on the special assessment was taken at the hearing; the recorded protest and the assessment district information will be forwarded to the City Commission for its decision on Sept. 29.