Nonpartisan

Tyler Erickson

North Dakota

Endorsements (3 Max): Building Industry Association of the Red River Valley

Candidate Questionnaire

What motivated you to run for the West Fargo City Commission? (100 words max)

I am 33 years old, have 3 kids with my wife of 8 years, and we run our household on one income. We moved to WF 3 years ago to be closer to family. I believe that within local government, and its integral role in influencing overall housing affordability, there should be accurate demographic representation on the Commission.

I believe I can lend my perspective as a newer, younger, and professional resident who can empathize what it is like to be an individual in their late 20s/early 30s just starting out on their life adventure.

What personal, professional, or community experiences have best prepared you to serve as a West Fargo City Commissioner? (100 words max)

Legal counsel to the ND Insurance and Securities Department

Active Member Representative on N.D. Public Employees Retirement System ("NDPERS") Board of Trustees

Board member on State Bar Association of North Dakota's High School Mock Trial Committee

Member of Prairie Public Broadcasting's Community Advisory Board

Member of the West Fargo Public Library Board

If elected as City Commissioner, what would be your top three priorities for the City of West Fargo, and why? (100 words max)

My nonpartisan political platform solutions are straightforward and are based on economic realities:

(1) more closely examining the necessity of economic development incentives;
(2) prioritizing retention of our public employees; and
(3) sharing resources with other taxing entities in the area.

Looking ahead five years, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges facing West Fargo? (100 words max)

Opportunities: strategic growth prioritizing meaningful commercial development in new growth areas and maintaining an abundance mindset where it counts. Immediately addressing risk mitigation openings in the general fund budgets to ensure we can maintain necessary financial reserves.

Challenges: operating in an ever-changing and dynamic economic environment where technology is impacting every corner of the market, commodity prices are increasingly volatile due to global geopolitical tension, and scarcity mindsets influence decision making.

What strategies or initiatives would you support to attract, retain, and expand businesses in West Fargo? Please include your perspective on the role of local incentives in economic development. (100 words max)Multi Line Text.

Prioritizing housing availability and affordability for labor and avoiding any cost-prohibitive tax and zoning policy. Navigating development of the space NW and SW of I94, now that the 69th Legislative Assembly passed HB 1176, relating to the 3% cap on political subdivisions' budgets is the key to the city's future success.

We are in an increasingly competitive economic environment on a local, state, and national level. Now that the city's budgets have caps, I believe the use of these incentives will become more strategic and competitive, as well as necessary, to pull the most desirable of businesses to these cities.

Workforce availability remains one of the most significant challenges facing employers across the region. What role can the City play in supporting workforce attraction, retention, and development? (100 words max)

Prioritizing housing availability and affordability for labor without sacrificing quality of life for current long-term residents. Also prioritize development that allows a person to transition from property renter to property owner.

In 2023, F-M Metro COG conducted a study of the metro area’s housing market that identified the need for 16,400 housing units across the region by 2033. What policies or tools can the City of West Fargo use to support the development of attainable, market-rate housing in Fargo? (100 words max)

Notwithstanding any negative effects on the city's credit rating, I believe we need to continue to use special assessments to keep homeownership in West Fargo competitive and affordable, in relation to its brother and sister cities in the area.

I also believe that narrowing the gap between commercial and residential property tax revenue brought into the city. This will help take property tax pressure off of homeowners.

How critical is public safety to the vibrancy and vitality of our community, and what approaches would you support to strengthen public safety in West Fargo? (100 words max)

You don't have a city without the prioritization of public safety and an acknowledgement that it is the cornerstone of a governmental entity. Listen to Department leadership and obtain a deep understanding about the needs of the men and women of the Department as well as the continued success of the Department overall. Make decisions accordingly to ensure we are adequately and appropriately investing public resources to meet the obligations ahead.

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