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Midland overlay project underway; city uses in-house paving to lower assessments
Summary
West Fargo said the 2025 Midland overlay project is under construction with the city using its own paving equipment to lower assessed costs; single-family assessments are estimated at about $1,400 over 25 years.
City staff updated the commission on the 2025 Public Works Midland Overlay Project (Assessment District 2290) on June 24, saying work is underway and the city has changed its delivery model to reduce assessment costs to property owners.
Background and approach: Previously the city planned to hire consultants and contract the full project, but the City Commission asked staff to find ways to lower homeowner assessments. The Public Works Department will perform paving operations with city equipment while contractors provide asphalt and milling services. The city will not assess for the value of city-owned paving equipment, trucking or city labor used to reduce costs; the assessed portion will be 50% of contractor costs plus standard soft costs (engineering, administration, bonding).
Estimated homeowner impact: Staff said a typical single‑family home’s estimated assessment would be about $1,400 amortized over 25 years. Benefit methodology: The city uses an equivalent unit (EU) methodology; single‑family homes count as 1 EU, twin homes 0.6, condos/townhomes 0.3 and apartments vary by size. Schools were assessed based on 75 linear feet of frontage rather than a full EU to reflect large parcel scale.
Other notes: ADA ramp improvements are being handled under a separate concrete pavement repair project and will not be assessed through this overlay. The city intends to mail notices to properties in the district and will assess those sidewalks not constructed privately at the end of the year.
Ending: The city described the approach as a way to buy down assessments and said neighborhoods have generally reacted positively to the improvements under construction.
