West Fargo Commission affirms special-assessment lists for four improvement districts; traffic-signal measure passes 4–1

The West Fargo City Commission on Monday confirmed special-assessment lists for four improvement districts, approving financing and assessment allocations for water, sewer, streets and related work while giving residents limited opportunity to appeal the Special Assessment Commission’s earlier decisions.

City Attorney Katie Schmidt opened the hearing by summarizing the appeal process under state law, saying, “Following the confirmation of the assessment list by the Special Assessment Commission under North Dakota Century Code section 40-23-14, any person who feels aggrieved by the decision of the Special Assessment Commission may file a written appeal with the City Auditor.” Schmidt emphasized that the city commission may hear appellants who filed written appeals and that individuals may appeal further to district court.

City Engineer Jerry Wallace recommended that commissioners confirm and approve the lists for Improvement Districts 1337, 1339, 2270 and 2271. About District 1337, Wallace said staff had provided the special-assessment list, the notice of hearing, the affidavit of publication and an assessment allocation map and asked whether commissioners had questions. He also acknowledged a notification issue, saying, “we had some technical difficulties when we sent out mailings for that one. So, there had to be a second round of letters that went out to ensure the property owners were notified.”

During the public comment period for District 1337, Marlon Russell Lean said he appeared “on special appearance to ask only one question regarding the conditional acceptance for 5446 Lori Lane West,” and asked whether the city had any questions or wished further clarification; the commission did not ask follow-up questions and Lean yielded his time.

Wallace explained the meaning of "incidentals" in the project descriptions, saying the term typically covers components not specifically listed on plan sets, such as multi‑use paths or street lights.

Votes at a glance

- Improvement District 1337 (water, sewer, streets, storm): Motion to confirm and approve the special-assessment list carried by voice vote; no recorded opposition announced.

- Improvement District 1339 (water and sewer, Old Stockyards area): Commissioner Zundell moved and Commissioner Anderson seconded; motion carried by voice vote; no written protests were received.

- Improvement District 2270 (traffic signal at 9th St. W and 32nd Ave. W): Commissioner Zundell moved, Commissioner Anne Olsen seconded; the motion carried by a recorded 4–1 margin.

- Improvement District 2271 (concrete paving, street lighting, storm sewer, incidentals in the Stockyards area): Commissioner Anne Olsen moved and Commissioner Jorgensen seconded; motion carried by voice vote.

What commissioners noted

Commissioner Jorgensen asked why a nearby Horseshoe (mall subdivision) area was not included in District 1339; Wallace said that area received no new water or sewer connection and thus saw no benefit from that project. Jorgensen also raised a property-labeling concern for 5th Street Court Northwest in the District 2271 area; Wallace acknowledged the tax/labeling oddity and thanked him for the point.

Next steps and appeals

For items confirmed tonight, the city will file the approved assessment lists with the City Auditor. As Schmidt noted at the hearing, people who filed written appeals before the commission retain the right to appeal the commission’s final decision to district court under North Dakota law.