West Fargo City Commission Meeting - September 23, 2025

The West Fargo City Commission met on September 23, 2025, for a regular meeting. All five commissioners were present: Commissioners Jorgensen, Sundell, Dardas, Olson, and Anderson. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the agenda (with an amendment to move a consent item to the regular agenda). The commission then approved minutes from previous meetings, building permits (with Commissioner Jorgensen recused), and the consent calendar (items A-F, H, I). The regular agenda included public comment, a gaming site authorization, the 2024 audit presentation, a business incentive request, the final 2026 budget, several zoning and plat requests, budget adjustments, improvement district discussions, and other administrative items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the order of the agenda with an amendment to move Item G (gaming site authorization) to the regular agenda.
• Approved the minutes of the September 8, 2025, regular meeting.
• Approved the minutes of the September 15, 2025, special assessment meeting.
• Approved building permits as distributed (4-0, Commissioner Jorgensen recused).
• Approved the consent agenda (Items A-F, H, and I) excluding Item G.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Whity (2421 McLeod Drive East) commented on the 2026 budget. He expressed support for the budget and the 3% cap on property tax increases, noting that personnel expenses (salaries, health care, retirement, Social Security) represent over 50% of the budget and increased by 6.1% while overall expenses rose only 3%. He suggested the city focus on increasing productivity to manage future budgets without adding staff or decreasing services. He also raised a concern about using capital projects sales tax funds to pay for a street crew for two consecutive years, arguing the sales tax was intended for capital projects, not personnel.

Discussion Items

• Gaming Site Authorization for Devil's Lake American Legion Post 24 at the Lights Event Center (2A): Commissioner Jorgensen requested clarification. The city secretary explained the Legion runs a poker tournament twice a year in West Fargo and has done so for several years. The commission approved the authorization without discussion (unanimous).
• 2024 Audit Presentation (Item 3): John Hagen of Eide Bailly presented the audit results. The city received an unmodified (clean) audit opinion. Total cash and investments across all funds were approximately $110 million. The general fund had a net change in fund balance of -$4.5 million (a deficit) for 2024, ending with a fund balance of $14.4 million, of which $14.3 million is unassigned (48% of annual expenditures). The capital projects fund had a balance of about $8 million after a $15 million bond issuance. The water and sewer fund and garbage fund were also reviewed. The commission accepted the audit presentation (unanimous).
• Business Incentive Request for Sign Badgers (Item 4): Economic Development Director Casey Sanders Berglin presented a request for a $275,000 forgivable loan over five years from economic development sales tax to fund fit-up costs for a 5,000 sq ft space in West Fargo. Sign Badgers, a sign manufacturing and design company, currently employs 12 people and generates $12,000–$15,000 in annual sales tax. The company is considering two locations (one in West Fargo, one in Fargo). Commissioner Jorgensen expressed concern about the amount relative to the size of the business, noting a previous incentive of the same amount for a 90,000 sq ft warehouse. Commissioner Zundell asked about job retention and clawback provisions. The applicant (Dawson) stated he has a six-figure investment in the business and expects growth. The commission approved the request (unanimous).
• Final 2026 City of West Fargo Budget (Item 5): City Administrator Dustin Scott and Finance Director Willie Galindo presented the final budget. Key highlights: the budget includes a 5.4% increase in property tax revenue (3% cap plus new growth), pauses all new FTE requests, provides a 2.5% COLA, and balances the general fund without using reserves. The total general fund revenue is $123.7 million with expenditures of $134.2 million, a $10.5 million deficit covered by existing cash balances (e.g., capital sales tax fund). The budget also includes a new section on property tax calculations per state law. Commissioner Zundell raised questions about how the cap applies to the library and airport funds, and Commissioner Olson clarified the deficit is funded by prior cash encumbrances. The commission approved the 2026 budget as presented (unanimous).
• Request for Access to Arterial Street – Bogie 4th Edition (Item 6): Planning Director Aaron Nelson presented a request from Hazer's Self-Service Auto Parts to remove a raised concrete median on 12th Avenue Northeast to allow full access (left-in/left-out) to their property. The median removal is needed to avoid unsafe U-turns (including a recent incident where a train hit a pickup). Engineering staff recommended approval with conditions, including the applicant waiving the right to protest future reinstallation of a median if traffic volumes increase. Commissioner Zundell proposed an amendment that the property owner pay 100% of the cost to reinstall the median in the future, rather than using special assessments. The amendment was adopted. The commission approved the request as amended (3-2).
• Second Reading of Rezoning – Cheyenne Second Edition (Item 7): Aaron Nelson presented the second reading of an ordinance to rezone the South Elementary School property from R2 (multi-dwelling residential) to P (public facilities). The first reading and public hearing were held September 8. No changes were made. The commission approved the second reading and ordinance (unanimous).
• Final Plat – FMD Mapleton Subdivision (Item 8) and FMD Warren First Subdivision (Item 9): Aaron Nelson presented both final plats for portions of the FM Diversion project in Mapleton and Warren townships. These plats establish property boundaries for the diversion right-of-way and are intended to be replatted after the project is complete. The associated subdivision agreements document this intent. Both plats were approved separately (unanimous).
• 2025 Sewer Budget Adjustment (Item 10): Public Works Director Matt Anvick requested a $200,000 increase in the chemical line item (from $150,000 to $350,000) in the sewer department budget due to higher hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels causing odor issues and increased chemical treatment costs. He noted this will not change the overall sewer budget as it is a line-item adjustment. The city is exploring ozone injection as a cheaper long-term solution. The commission approved the adjustment (unanimous).
• Improvement District 3009 – First Avenue Reconstruction (Item 11): Community Development Director Dan Hanson presented the engineer's report for a $3.86 million project to reconstruct First Avenue from Cheyenne Street to Fourth Avenue East. The project includes replacing water main, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer, and reconstructing the roadway. A grant from the Department of Water Resources covers 60% of water main costs, and the city would pay 70% of remaining costs via capital improvement sales tax, with the remaining 30% ($776,000) assessed to property owners. The commission approved the engineer's report and directed preparation of plans and specifications (unanimous).
• Award Contract for SA 27 Lift Station Rehabilitation (Item 12): City Engineer Jerry Wallace presented the low bids: CC Steel ($125,000 mechanical), JDP Electric ($381,587 electrical), and ICS ($1,446,400 total), totaling $1.95 million (below the engineer's estimate of $2.16 million). Funding comes from a legacy fund (hookup fees) with no special assessments. The commission accepted the bids and awarded the contract (unanimous).
• Improvement District 308 – Meadow Ridge Development Reconstruction (Item 13): Jerry Wallace presented an engineer's report for a complete reconstruction of streets, water, sewer, and storm infrastructure in the Meadow Ridge neighborhood. The 70/30 cost share applies (city pays 70%, assessments 30%). A task order for basic services was included. The commission approved the report and directed further work (unanimous).
• Resolution Authorizing Participation in National Opiate Settlements (Item 15): City Attorney Katie Schmidt presented a resolution to opt into the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy trust. North Dakota and local governments may receive funds if they opt in; funds would be passed through to Cass County Public Health per an existing agreement. The commission approved the resolution (unanimous).
• Appointment to Cass Clay Interagency Council on Homelessness (Item 16): City Administrator Dustin Scott reported the council requested each participating agency appoint a representative. Commissioner Jorgensen nominated Mayor Dardas as the primary representative, and Commissioner Zundell volunteered as the alternate. The commission approved both appointments.

Key Outcomes

• Gaming site authorization approved – Devil's Lake American Legion Post 24 at Lights Event Center.
• 2024 audit accepted (clean opinion).
• Sign Badgers business incentive approved – $275,000 forgivable loan over 5 years for fit-up costs.
• 2026 city budget approved – $123.7M revenue, $134.2M expenditures, $10.5M deficit covered by cash on hand; 5.4% property tax increase; no new FTEs; 2.5% COLA.
• Bogie 4th Edition access approved (3-2) – median removal on 12th Avenue NE with condition that owner pays 100% of future reinstallation cost.
• Second reading of Cheyenne rezone approved – South Elementary to Public Facilities.
• Two FM Diversion subdivision plats approved – Mapleton and Warren Townships.
• Sewer budget adjustment approved – chemical line item increased by $200,000 for H2S treatment.
• First Avenue Reconstruction improvement district approved – $3.86M project with $776,000 in special assessments.
• SA 27 Lift Station rehabilitation contract awarded – $1.95M total, funded from legacy fees.
• Meadow Ridge Reconstruction improvement district approved – engineer's report and task order.
• Opiate settlement resolution approved – opt into Purdue bankruptcy trust.
• Representatives appointed to Cass Clay Homelessness Council – Mayor Dardas (primary) and Commissioner Zundell (alternate).
• Next steps: The approved budget will be submitted to Cass County by October 10, 2025; preliminary tax statements will be sent to residents in December. Improvement district projects will proceed with neighborhood meetings and resolutions of necessity.