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Nachmus explains special assessments: greenfield development vs. reconstruction
Summary
City Engineer Tom Nachmus described two types of special assessments: greenfield development improvements (100% special assessed) and established neighborhood reconstruction where about 15% of local street reconstruction costs are assessed to properties; the remainder is funded by sales tax and utility fees.
Tom Nachmus explained the City of Fargo uses two primary special-assessment approaches. For greenfield development the city often finances infrastructure and special-assesses that improvement district, which Nachmus said results in the improvements being "a 100% special assessed." For redevelopment or street reconstruction in established neighborhoods, he said about "15% is special assessed to the properties," with the remainder typically covered by sales tax and utility fees.
Nachmus said the city adopted the greenfield approach after a task force review that found benefits in city-led financing and quality control; he acknowledged residents sometimes disagree with the method. He emphasized notification and protest rights for property owners when improvement districts are created and said the city posts estimates and letters in those cases.
