City of West Fargo sets 2020 Budget Public Hearing

The City of West Fargo is holding a public hearing on the 2020 City of West Fargo budget at 6 p.m. during the Monday, Sept. 16, West Fargo City Commission meeting. During this meeting, the community is given the opportunity to provide input on the proposed 2020 City of West Fargo budget.

The 2020 budget is the best projection of next year’s operating costs by the City Administrator and heads of the various City of West Fargo departments. The City of West Fargo’s revenues to cover the expenses to provide services are collected from multiple sources, including property taxes, sales taxes, special assessments, state and federal funding, public utilities and licenses and permits. For the 2020 fiscal year, the City of West Fargo’s proposed budget outlines $91,074,211 in expenses and $91,251,792 in revenues, creating an estimated surplus of $177,281.

Fourteen percent of the City’s budget is comprised of property tax revenues. During the Aug. 5, 2019, West Fargo City Commission meeting, the West Fargo Board of City Commissioners approved a preliminary property tax revenue fund of $13,531,887. This is a $1,396,000 increase over the 2019 budget. This increase is needed to provide proper funding for the West Fargo Fire Department’s transition to an official department of the City of West Fargo, restore funding for the West Fargo Public Library, cover the special assessments due for city-owned property and increase staffing and service levels for a 6.5 population increase and increase in commercial building permits. For City of West Fargo property owners, this increase represents an additional $21.29 in taxes over 2019 for every $100,000 in property value.

Residents were notified of the public hearing via a Cass County Consolidated Tax Estimate statement that was distributed in early September. This statement estimates 2020 property taxes based on project mill rate levies from the City of West Fargo, Cass County, State Medical, County Soil Conservation, West Fargo Park District, West Fargo Public Schools and the Southeast Water Resource District. For details on how to read and understand your tax statement, please visit the Cass County Treasurer’s website.

Members of the public can attend and provide comment on the City of West Fargo’s budget at this hearing. The full, detailed 2020 preliminary budget can be found at https://www.westfargond.gov/2020Budget. This meeting is not intended for residents to appeal or review the City Assessor’s determination of true and full value for a property. If a property owner believes the true and full value of their property is incorrect, they should contact the City Assessor’s office for a review.