SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS Archives

Horace Homeowners Ponder Next Move After Lawsuit Dismissed

Judge Constance Cleveland dismissed the lawsuit against the city of Horace on a technicality, saying the plaintiffs had missed a filing window.

September 4, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Back in April, 15 Horace homeowners banded together with the O’Keeffe, O’Brien, and Lyson law firm to fight what they said were unreasonable special assessments. That number had dwindled to 12 by the time the lawsuit made it to a judge, and the plaintiffs say that the deluge of assessments has continued to force people out…

City Of Horace Continues To Face Backlash Regarding Special Assessments

Judge dismisses lawsuit filed against City of Horace by homeowners upset about high special assessments

September 3, 2025

TJ Nelson, Jim Monk,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — A legal victory for the City of Horace in a dispute over special assessments. East Central Judicial District Judge Constance Cleveland has dismissed all twelve actions in a lawsuit filed by a group of homeowners in April. They claimed their special assessments rapidly grew since buying their homes. In the ruling, the judge says the plaintiffs…

Battle Between City of Horace, Homeowners Continues

Flames were seemingly reignited by a Facebook post in a local community group earlier this week.

August 20, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) – Disputes between homeowners and the city of Horace continue to erupt over special assessments that the homeowners say unfairly raise their mortgage prices. Back in April, a group of 15 banded together to sue the city over the issue. That case is still being litigated as of writing. Some involved with that particular case have worked…

Group Of Homeowners Sue City of Horace Over High Special Assessments

April 17, 2025

TJ Nelson,

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) — A group of fifteen homeowners in Horace is suing the city over special assessments. In a statement by their attorney, Brandon Erickson with O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson, they claim the city is violating North Dakota law with extraordinarily high special assessments that could be cause for foreclosure on their homes. They also claim a history of improper…

Two Proposed Roundabouts in West Fargo Paused After Public Protest

November 21, 2023

TJ Nelson,

WEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Around twenty people who live near a proposed roundabout at 52nd Avenue and 9th Street West in West Fargo were able to stop it, for now. They appeared at Monday night’s city commission meeting and some called the project less safe for kids walking to school at Legacy Elementary. Most are also concerned about the…

Moorhead City Council Adopts Special Assessments for SE Main Avenue 20/21 Streets Underpass

September 26, 2022

TJ Nelson,

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — Some people are speaking out against special assessments for Moorhead’s largest single infrastructure project: the Southeast Main Avenue/20th/21st Streets underpass. The city has a $7.5 million dollar bond for the $76.5 million dollar project. Two percent, or $1.5 million dollars, will be paid through special assessments in the specified district. For a lot one acre or…

Forum Held For Large Pool of Candidates for Fargo City Commission

April 21, 2022

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — We are learning more about the very large pool of candidates running for Fargo City Commission. The League of Women Voters of the Red River Valley held a forum for the candidates at city hall. It had to be split up into two sessions since there are 15 people running for two seats. The candidates took…

North Sheyenne Street Corridor Reconstruction

West Fargo to discuss special assessments for Sheyenne Street project

December 15, 2020

Jim Monk,

North Sheyenne St. Corridor ReconstructionWEST FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The West Fargo Special Assessment Commission will hold a virtual meeting Friday to discuss preliminary special assessment plans for the north Sheyenne Street corridor reconstruction project. The project includes replacement of aging or undersized water mains, sanitary sewers and storm sewers. The utility work was not initially part of the project….

Fargo City Commission gets rid of some special assessments

November 18, 2019

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. – By a vote of four to one, Fargo City Commissioners approve changes to the infrastructure policy. It comes as the result of a task force that was started to revise special assessment policies. It could save property owners hundreds of dollars. The new policy would do away with certain special assessments on things like traffic signals, sanitary…

Fargo City Commissioners Spar Over Special Assessment Policy

The city commission will make the final decision on any changes

September 10, 2019

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. — By a 3 to 2 vote, Fargo City Commissioners agreed to have city staff evaluate and come up with a revised draft for a new city special assessment policy. The roll call vote came after some heated discussion. “I have had people pose questions, ‘is what you do this way perfectly legal?’, said Fargo City Commissioner John…