Board of Equalization approves 2026 assessment, adopts staff-recommended values on appeals
May 12, 2026 | Fargo , Cass County, North Dakota
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The Fargo Board of Equalization voted Tuesday to adopt staff-recommended property values for the majority of appealed parcels and to certify the city’s 2026 assessment for forwarding to the county.
Mike, a city staff member who led the reconvened session, told the board it had received 244 appeals this cycle and that “38% of the appeals received a reduction this year. The average reduction was approximately 9%.” He said 117 appeals remained unresolved and required board action while 126 appellants had accepted staff recommendations.
The board moved in several steps. A motion to adopt staff recommendations for the unresolved appeals list was made by a committee member and seconded by the chair; the roll-call vote recorded Hepburn, Strand, Kolpak, Turnberg and Mahoney voting in favor, and the motion passed. The board then voted to accept the 126 resolved appeals on staff terms; Kolpak, Turnberg, Pepcorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye on that motion.
When a committee member asked whether staff had been able to inspect properties during the appeal process, Mike said, “There was a couple that were a little bit hesitant to let us come in. But, for the most part, we were able to get through everything.” That exchange came as the board considered whether to permit group adjustments or handle individual parcel motions.
Mike also said one appeal could not be completed before the deadline and would be forwarded to the county. The board voted to forward that single incomplete appeal; Strand, Turnberg, Kolpak, Pepcorn and Mahoney voted to send it to the county.
Finally, the board approved a motion to certify the 2026 assessment and forward it to the county. The roll-call vote recorded Kolpak, Hepburn, Turnberg, Strand and Mahoney in favor. With the certification complete, the chair declared the session adjourned.
The decisions mean most appeals were resolved under staff recommendations; one incomplete appeal will be handled by the county. The certification completes the local step required to submit city assessments for county processing.
Mike, a city staff member who led the reconvened session, told the board it had received 244 appeals this cycle and that “38% of the appeals received a reduction this year. The average reduction was approximately 9%.” He said 117 appeals remained unresolved and required board action while 126 appellants had accepted staff recommendations.
The board moved in several steps. A motion to adopt staff recommendations for the unresolved appeals list was made by a committee member and seconded by the chair; the roll-call vote recorded Hepburn, Strand, Kolpak, Turnberg and Mahoney voting in favor, and the motion passed. The board then voted to accept the 126 resolved appeals on staff terms; Kolpak, Turnberg, Pepcorn, Strand and Mahoney voted aye on that motion.
When a committee member asked whether staff had been able to inspect properties during the appeal process, Mike said, “There was a couple that were a little bit hesitant to let us come in. But, for the most part, we were able to get through everything.” That exchange came as the board considered whether to permit group adjustments or handle individual parcel motions.
Mike also said one appeal could not be completed before the deadline and would be forwarded to the county. The board voted to forward that single incomplete appeal; Strand, Turnberg, Kolpak, Pepcorn and Mahoney voted to send it to the county.
Finally, the board approved a motion to certify the 2026 assessment and forward it to the county. The roll-call vote recorded Kolpak, Hepburn, Turnberg, Strand and Mahoney in favor. With the certification complete, the chair declared the session adjourned.
The decisions mean most appeals were resolved under staff recommendations; one incomplete appeal will be handled by the county. The certification completes the local step required to submit city assessments for county processing.
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