Economic Development Incentives Committee- August 25, 2026 Minutes
ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE COMMITTEE
Fargo, North Dakota
Regular Meeting Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The August meeting of the Economic and Development Incentive Committee of the City of Fargo, North Dakota was held in the City Commission Room at City Hall at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
The committee members present or absent are:
Members Present: Commissioner Chad Peterson, Mayor Josh Boschee, Lucas Paper, Matt Schlenvogt, John Cosgriff
Others Present: Jackie Gapp, Robert Wilson, Michael Splonskowski, Joe Raso, Ryan Osseim, Nicole Crutchfield, Mark Williams
Commissioner Peterson called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. A roll call was conducted and a quorum was established.
Minutes Approved
A motion was made to approved July 28, 2026, meeting minutes. Mayor Boschee moved. The motion was seconded by Matt Schlenvogt. Motion carries.
Business Incentives Review Procedures
• Michael Splonskowski presented a memorandum outlining possible procedures for reviewing business incentive performance and determining when follow-up or corrective action may be necessary.
• Review options presented:
o EDIC reviews survey results first, determines whether follow-up is needed and forwards a recommendation to the City Commission.
o EDIC reviews the results and recommends which recipients require follow-up before the matter proceeds to the City Commission.
o The City Commission reviews the results first and identifies projects requiring additional review by EDIC.
o The City Commission conducts the review and determines any necessary follow-up.
o A combination of the proposed approaches or another process developed by the committee.
• Questions for consideration included which body should make the initial determination, whether recipients should appear before both bodies and whether acceptable performance thresholds should be established.
• Sample scenarios compared promised and actual job creation and wage levels to illustrate when follow-up may be appropriate.
• Committee discussion:
o Members discussed whether EDIC or the City Commission should conduct the initial review. Some members favored EDIC reviewing concerns first and making a recommendation to the City Commission.
o Members supported developing a transparent matrix with defined performance thresholds to provide consistency and clear expectations for participating businesses.
o The committee noted that job totals alone may not fully reflect a project's performance. Wage levels, total compensation, property value, changing economic conditions and technological changes may also be relevant.
o Members discussed using corrective action or workout plans when a company is cooperating but has not fully met its projections, rather than automatically ending an incentive.
o Non-reporting was identified as a serious compliance concern. Members discussed making continuation of an incentive contingent upon timely annual reporting.
o Staff advised that an incentive may be ended prospectively if requirements are not met. Recovering taxes previously exempted may be legally and administratively difficult and could require court action.
o Joe Raso stated the Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation could work with staff and participating companies before reporting deadlines to identify concerns early and improve communication.
o Survey responses are expected over the next month. Staff noted that action affecting the upcoming tax year may need to occur before January 1.
• No formal action was taken. Staff and community partners will continue refining the review process, reporting requirements, performance thresholds and possible corrective-action procedures.
Land Development Code and Incentive Project Update
• Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield reported the latest public draft of the Land Development Code had been released and related public meetings were underway.
• Committee members asked when EDIC should become involved in incentive discussions connected to the Land Development Code and Growth Plan.
• Land Development Code discussion:
o Crutchfield stated special assessments involve broader policy, finance, engineering and administrative considerations and traditionally fall outside EDIC's role.
o Special assessment policy discussions may involve the City Commission, Finance Department, Engineering Department, City Administration and the Special Assessment Committee.
o Following former Planning Director Jim Gilmour's retirement, the Planning, Assessing and Finance departments are collaborating more closely on applications involving tax increment financing, payment-in-lieu-of-taxes, urban renewal and blight.
o The Growth Plan calls for examining how development incentives can support optimal development. EDIC and the Renaissance Zone Authority will be involved in that work.
o Staff and consultants are reviewing historical development patterns and incentive data. Data reconciliation issues remain under review.
o Staff estimated the base zoning and ordinance standards were approximately three months from completion, with a goal of building consensus by the end of the year.
• Members discussed the need for public education regarding special assessments, infrastructure costs and the fact that changing the assessment mechanism shifts rather than eliminates those costs.
• No formal action was taken.
Growth Plan Commercial Redevelopment Policy
• Crutchfield reintroduced the draft Commercial Redevelopment Policy, which was previously reviewed in November 2025 and paused while Land Development Code work continued.
• Staff stated a project at 45th Street and Main Avenue may seek redevelopment incentives. The project includes an existing phase and a possible new housing phase.
• Staff intends to finalize the policy before considering a related project application.
• Committee discussion:
o Members requested clearer definitions and measurable criteria for terms such as high vacancy so applicants can understand eligibility requirements.
o The committee discussed whether a proposed incentive of up to 10 years would align with Cass County and Fargo Public Schools policies.
o Cass County and Fargo Public Schools representatives stated their current policies primarily focus on primary-sector projects and low-income housing.
o The Fargo Public Schools representative agreed to provide the district's current policy to Crutchfield for distribution to the committee.
o Members expressed support for redevelopment incentives that encourage reinvestment in established areas of Fargo and help limit unnecessary urban sprawl.
• No formal action was taken. Staff will continue refining the policy and return with an updated draft.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carries.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:59 p.m.