Conflict Between Horace Residents, City Council Over Special Assessments Drags On

The special meeting was scheduled to run from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. but went far over time.

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) – Special assessments in Horace continue to be a point of contention for homeowners and the City Council alike.

District Court Judge Constance Cleveland dismissed the lawsuit brought by homeowners against the city of Horace back on September 3rd, but that hasn’t done much to solve the discontent of homeowners who say they’re still getting overcharged on special assessments.

The city has provided an avenue for homeowners who want to appeal – which was ostensibly the goal of the assembly that took place on the evening of October 8th at the Horace Meeting House, to hear as many appeals as possible.

However, it proved to be a far more arduous process, as council members continually got caught up in technicalities regarding zoning and stormwater retention ponds.

Additionally, council member Rachel Dwyer recused herself from the proceedings, as her husband was set to lodge an appeal that evening regarding special assessments on their home.

Most who spoke expressed confusion at the sudden spike in the cost of assessments –

“The preliminary estimate, as of February, those are about 50% lower than what the current estimates are,” said one person lodging an appeal.

or at those which didn’t seem to have any relevance to their particular properties.

The next council meeting is set for October 20, when the administration is set to make final decisions on how best to relieve the concerns of their citizens.

Initially, the city was not going to financially contribute to help pay off the special assessments.

However, following backlash, they agreed to take on 25% of the overall cost.

They’re now considering upping that to 30%.