Horace Homeowners Speak Out Against Special Assessments

Some who are suing the city say their mortgage payments have increased by as much as $1,800 a month.

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) – “I thought it was a bank error at first,” said Horace homeowner Kendall Bonkowski.

Unfortunately for her, there was no mistake. Her payment amount was indeed skyrocketing – increasing by a thousand dollars.

It soon came to light that she wasn’t alone in feeling this sudden pinch.

Brenna Lachowizter saw her projected special assessments cost rise from around $55,000 to closer to $80,000.

“I can’t pay my new mortgage,” she simply said.

That’s when she decided to see if she could fight back.

Brandon Erickson, a partner at the Fargo law firm O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys, felt she had a case.

“You can’t unduly burden people, and you can’t let costs just atrociously inflate like this,” he said.

“When something was initially estimated at $1.8 million, and then jumps to $2.9, $5.9 million – where’s the checks and balances on that?”

And following conversations in the community, plus outreach on social media, 15 homeowners have now teamed up with Erickson to file lawsuits against the city.

Horace refused an interview request.

The homeowners pursuing litigation still have trepidation about the situation at hand, but they feel good knowing they’re not fighting this battle alone.

“I thought it was just me at first,” said Bonkowski.

“So, I hate that it’s happening to so many people, but I’m glad that there’s a little army that we have.”