Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fargo leaders urge continued state support for prairie‑dock funds, report progress on Red River water supply and diversion projects
Summary
City officials said changes to prairie‑dock (prairie‑dock) fund allocations will reduce available local funds and thanked legislators for continued funding for the Red River Valley Water Supply and diversion project, while noting the project still needs federal support for faster completion.
City officials told the legislative delegation that continued state contributions to local infrastructure programs are critical to keep homeowner assessment costs down and move large projects forward.
“We rely on prairie dock funding to help with street‑rehab local shares,” Tom Nokos (public works presenter) said, describing a local funding source the city uses to reduce the portion of reconstruction costs special‑assessed to homeowners. Officials said the current biennium included two funding “buckets” and that the next biennium will show a reduction of about $20,000,000 in the program compared with the prior cycle; the city said that will increase pressure on residents’ special assessments unless other funds are found.
Mayor Mahoney thanked the delegation for the Red River Valley Water Supply appropriation and described the project trajectory. He said the city asked for an appropriation figure that was adjusted during the legislative process and that the city received an appropriation that will help move the project toward 40–50 percent completion in the biennium. He also said the diversion project continues and a substantial completion milestone is scheduled for October of next year.
Officials noted they are pursuing federal money to reduce state costs—Senator Hoeven was cited as advocating for federal support to decrease the state share substantially if secured. No new funding deadlines were announced at the briefing.
City staff emphasized that prairie‑dock funds are a significant element of the capital improvement program (CIP) and that reductions to that program will affect the city’s ability to limit special assessments for homeowners on reconstruction projects.
