West Fargo renews Gate City Bank home‑improvement loan program; routine consent items approved

The West Fargo City Commission on March 16 unanimously reapproved the city’s neighborhood revitalization partnership with Gate City Bank, a program that offers low‑interest home‑improvement loans for qualifying properties. Aaron Nelson, the city’s director of planning and zoning, presented the annual renewal and called it a continuation of a partnership that began in 2019.

Brandy Olsen, a retail manager at Gate City Bank, told the commission the Home Improvement Partnership will allocate $2,000,000 in 2026 and targets homeowner projects for properties with assessed values under $300,000. She said qualifying work ranges from accessibility and safety repairs to energy improvements and structural corrections.

“Today, I’m excited to share how our neighborhood revitalization program will help create a better way of life for the residents of West Fargo,” Olsen said.

Commissioners then moved through routine business: approval of the March 2 meeting minutes, distributed building permits and the full consent agenda (items A–K). The commission approved the consent agenda unanimously.

During the consent‑agenda discussion, Commissioner Anderson asked staff to prepare a short presentation and cost analysis when staff returns with bids for a future mill‑and‑overlay project (item E, project #2300). Anderson asked that the analysis show prior public‑works mill/overlay costs and a standard procedure for calculating overtime, depreciation and equipment rates. Staff agreed to include that information when the item returns to the commission.

The meeting proceeded to the regular agenda after the commission closed public comment and public hearing opportunities for the evening.