West Fargo commission certifies special-assessment lists for four improvement districts

The West Fargo Special Assessment Commission voted to certify assessment lists for Improvement Districts 1337, 1339, 2270 and 2271 and approved a recommended assessment methodology for the local water users district during its meeting. Motions to approve each list passed on voice votes and the commission will forward the certified lists to the city auditor.

The approvals complete the commission's role in allocating the costs of public improvements identified by the City Commission. City staff presented the assessment lists and explained that while the commission may alter how costs are allocated among parcels within a district, it cannot change the total amount of assessments directed by the City Commission.

Katie Schmidt, a city staff presenter, summarized the process and the materials provided to the commission, including the published assessment lists, an assessment-allocation map and a sample notice to property owners. She said staff had performed a benefits assessment for each property “to ensure the amount of the special assessments did not exceed the benefits.”

During public comment, several property owners raised parcel-specific questions tied to the certified lists. Marlon Russell Lean…