FARGO (KFGO) – It took a year-and-a-half but Fargo City Commissioners have approved a new special assessment policy that reduces rates that one commissioner calls “dramatic”.
A task force formed as a result of complaints by property owners about the rising cost of those specials which are used to pay for infrastructure projects came up with 26 recommendations that were then worked out by city staff. Many of the changes lower the specials, eliminate some, while others remain unchanged.
Commissioner Tony Grindberg chaired the task force. He says the Prairie Dog bill approved by the legislature this year played a factor in the reductions. It provides oil and gas tax revenue to cities statewide and must be used for essential infrastructure needs. Fargo will receive more than $12 million annually for at least the next four years. Grindberg says the timing of that legislative action and the task force have made a “profound change for the city of Fargo.”
City Commissioner John Strand said “This is serious stuff when it’s taxpayer money and people moving to Fargo, we’ve kind of gotten this a scarlet letter about specials.”
Homeowners will see the biggest breaks, with the city paying 80% and homeowners 20% of the cost for most improvement projects in their neighborhood.