Amy zundel

Creating a cohesive 10-year plan as a city and across all departments that defines clear priorities and uses objective and measurable goals that are re-assessed at regular intervals.

Creation of a concrete funding plan for core area improvement that is transparent to residents in the area.

Creation of an actionable long-term plan to reduce the overall special assessment burden on residents.

I have the perspective of being a small business owner, a homeowner, and a mother of two children currently in the schools. I have served as a BOD President for Prevent Child Abuse ND and am familiar with state, federal, and private funding mechanisms as well as legislative advocacy efforts. I am a volunteer Reserve Deputy, providing unique insight surrounding public safety challenges.

West Fargo needs a plan to fund the $543 million dollars in core area infrastructure that should be done as soon as possible without crushing the residents living within the core area with special assessments that amount to 25-50% of their home value. I plan to address this challenge through the creation of collaborative 10-year plan for the city that increases the commercial base, advocating at the state level for further Prairie Dog funding, exploration of outside funding mechanisms for these projects, and connecting residents to current property tax relief options.

West Fargo must have a viable workforce and an environment that makes financial success a possibility. A viable workforce stems from a socially prosperous community. Social and economic prosperity are linked and depend on one another. Economic prosperity is best obtained through collaborative and thoughtful goal setting, planning, and accountable execution. Collaboration occurs by ensuring voices from stakeholders are present. I believe supporting the Workforce Development Council recommendations and local chamber Ignite Initiative. The city can focus on incentivizing businesses that align with these goals and programs and ensuring our Economic Development Manager is supported sufficiently.

I support a yearly review of how the new home exemptions. Currently, I would support a pause on this incentive as creation of new residential homes isn’t in alignment with current city needs or priorities. I support a shift in focus to programs like residential Renaissance Zones and thoughtfully increasing our commercial density. I support the various PILOT and TIF programs and believe they are a proven long-term investment into the future prosperity and sustainability of our city. At a time where our commercial base in West Fargo needs to grow, I would be against eliminating these programs.

My first step would be ensuring West Fargo stabilizes our foundation before it scaffolds additional growth. This includes respecting current obligations to failing infrastructure in the core area without crushing the current residents financially. This also includes providing City Hall the necessary tools and time to catch up with critical components of successful future planning, such as up-to-date financial audits, recommended compliance procedure alterations, and hiring and training new high-level staff. We must also ensure current housing for our fixed income residents remains affordable and serving as a partner to address school district capacity after a failed bond referendum.