CITYOF WESTFARGO 2025BUDGET
Preliminary Budget Presented to WF City Commission:
Preliminary Budget Approved by WF City Commission: Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget: Draft Final Budget Presented to WF City Commission: Final Budget Approved by WF City Commission: July 29, 2024 Aug. 5, 2024
Sept. 16, 2024 Sept. 23, 2024
city of west fargo 2025 budget
On behalf of Mayor Bernie Dardis, and City Staff, I am pleased to present the City of West Fargo’s 2025 Budget.
Work on this budget began in March 2024 to identify the operational, staffing, and administrative needs of each of our City Departments. Our Department heads have worked diligently to bring forward budgets that allow staff to provide the highest quality service to the residents and businesses of West Fargo, while balancing the fiscal responsibility we owe to the taxpayers of our great community.
The work extended beyond budgets, to an organizational restructure of Departments that prioritized the efficiency of teams and workflows and allows us to advance institutional knowledge and encourage new and fresh perspectives.
I am proud of the leadership team we are building, and look forward to seeing how our City benefits over the coming year and into the future.
As we continue to prioritize the retention of our outstanding and experienced staff, this budget includes a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment, and maintains a high quality of employee benefits. This budget also includes the addition of staff across many departments, a majority within the Public Works and Public Safety Portfolios. The additional Public Works staff will allow the City to take on more projects internally, completing necessary infrastructure work while lowering the direct costs to taxpayers. We pride ourselves on the safety of our community, and the additional staff in our Police and Fire Departments will allow our agencies to become even more robust and strengthen their ability to provide the highest quality services across our City.
We greatly appreciate the guidance and support from our elected leaders. As Commissioners continue to engage constructively, we will stay diligent and focused to further refine and optimize the budget through a collaborative and transparent process.
Dustin Scott City Administrator
updates from preliminary budget
The following changes were made between the approval of the Preliminary Budget and the Presentation of the Final Budget:
2025 Budget expenditures by fund
NOTE: 2024 budget numbers may be different than what appears in the 2024 Budget adopted in Oct 2023 based on budget amendments. Budget amendments made throughout 2024 can be found in West Fargo City Commission Meeting Minutes.
City of west fargo organizational structure
Departments/Divisions are categorized into 5 Portfolio Areas, all overseen by the Administration Department:
Administrative Services
Community & Development Services
Fire Department
Police Department
Public Works
This chart outlines the structure of department/divisions with designated expenditure budgets. It does not necessarily reflect the structure of staffing in each portfolio area.
cityadministrator
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Senior Director Positions were approved in 2024 and are reflected in the 2025 Budget. Additional positions include increases to all salary and benefit line items
Receptionist position moved from Finance Department to Administration Department
Project Funding Specialist Position removed from 2025 Budget
No new positions requested in 2025
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Corporate Education by $4,900
Reduced Travel by $6,500
Reduced Service Contracts by $10,000
assessing department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Purchase of one new fleet vehicle for Property Appraisers per regular vehicle replacement schedule changesfrompreliminarybudget Reduced Travel & Education by $1,500
communication department expenses
court department expenses
economicdevelopmentdepartmentexpenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 1 FTE - Economic Development Coordinator
Increases in all Salary and Benefits line items
Increase in telephone and technology to equip new employee
Increase to Membership line item for consolidation of all memberships into one line item. Previously spread across multiple line items
Increase in Marketing line item for print publications
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Travel & Education by $1,500
engineering department expenses
notabledepartmentbudget changes2024-2025
Salary and Benefit increases for Full Time Employees are standard across all line items No new positions requested in 2025
Added line items for Gas & Oil and Vehicles Maintenance to cover these costs for their fleet vehicles. This expense was previously included in the Public Works budget.
Increase to Office Supplies line item to produce EJCDC Specification Documents
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Delaying Hiring of Assistant City Engineer until mid-year Reduced Payroll Costs by $60,041.Includes Line Items: Permanent Employee Salaries
Social Security
Retirement
Health Insurance
community & development services portfolio
community & development services portfolio
finance department expenses
fire department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 3 FTEs - 3 Firefighters/EMTs
Increases in Salary, Benefits, and Education line items
$310,909 in Long Term Debt Retirement
Reductions in operations of $87,730 from previous year
Reduction of strategic operations of $104,904 from previous year
Increase of $4,628 for annual preventive medical screenings for all employees (cancer, cardiac, mental health)
Service Agreements line item increase for CARE contract and Johnson Controls contract
Furniture and Equipment line item increase for new lifts for fire mechanics for work on heavy trucks
Payment to Rural Fire Association based on total amount of state reimbursement, expected to increase in 2025
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Travel & Education by $50,000
Increased Service Charges by $1,250
Fire Fund Reporting combined with General Fund
fleet & Facility department expenses
notabledepartmentbudget changes2024-2025
Salary and Benefit increases for Full Time Employees are standard across all line items
No new positions requested in 2025 Salary line item includes Overtime Pay
Building Repair line item increased to cover aging building maintenance
Capital Assets line item increased for purchases including safety equipment, tool storage, and welding equipment, per equipment purchase schedule
Vehicle Purchase line item decreased from 2024. Only one new vehicle to be purchased in 2025 per vehicle replacement schedule
changesfrompreliminarybudget Reduced Building Repair by $50,000 Reduced Capital Assets (Equipment) by $35,000
Travel & Education by $3,000
human resources department expenses
notabledepartmentbudget changes2024-2025
Salary and Benefit increases for Full Time Employees are standard across all line items No new positions requested in 2025
1 FTE added by budget amendment in 2024.
Telephone line item increased to accurately reflect number of department cell phones
Travel & Education line item increase includes staff training on new HRIS system
Technology line item increased to accurately reflect cost of employee badges and printing costs, and all software costs
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Payroll Costs by $20,156. Includes Line Items: Permanent Employee Salaries Social
Reduced Telephone by $540
Reduced Technology by $90
Reduced Membership by $215
Reduced Travel & Education by $4,650
Increased Postage by $250
Increased Printing by $250
information technology department expenses
non-departmental expenses
police department expenses
Addition of Four sworn positions
police portfolio notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Increases the following line items: salaries, benefits, telephone, trave /education, uniforms/equipment, medical physicals, equipment, weapons/ammo
Overtime budget increased due to additional comfort dog, US Postal Task Force Officer, four sworn officers and one civilian and Contract Police Services due to salary increases
Medical/Vaccines line item increased due to annual cardiac screening for sworn officers
General Computer Technology line item increased due to Body Worn Camera – El Cloud Maintenance, new Sergeant and civilian position, increase of annual New World/Tyler Annual Maintenance, Investigations digital evidence storage, and Leadsonline/Cell Hawk
The fol owing will be paid through transer of PSST: $86,300 Annual Subscription fee and $15,000 for digital investigation storage
Police vehicles and equipment line items increased due to in-car cameras with automatic license p ate and software and the increased cost of purchasing and nstalling police vehicles. This will be paid with transfer of PSST
Police equipment increase s due to the purchase of a drone, flock camera systems, replace the current d gital fingerprint machine as it’s end of life, camera for our Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and radar signs, rapid deployment pack, and Taser charg ng hub. This w ll be paid with transfer of PSST
Membership line item increased due to ND POST board renewal licenses
K9 line item ncreased due to pet insurance for K9 duals and the purchase of an additional comfort dog
Ammo line item increased due to sworn officer duty guns, rifle barrels and red dot sights. Th s will be paid with transfer of PSST
changes from preliminary budget
Eliminate Civil an Supervisor Position. Reduced Payroll Costs by $125,091. Includes L ne Items:
Permanent Employee Salaries, Social Security, Retirement, Health Insurance, WSI
Reduced Travel & Education by $1,000
Reduced Technology by $5,000
Reduced Public Relations by $7,000
Reduced Office Supplies by $1,500
Reduced Prisoner Board Expenses by $15,000
Reduced Wrecker Fees by $1,000
police department
public works department expenses
notabledepartmentbudget changes2024-2025
Salary and Benefit increases for Full Time Employees are standard across all line items No new positions requested in 2025
Technology line item increase to more accurately reflect actual costs of all software
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Vehicles Purchase by $30,000
Reduced Technology by $10,000
Reduced Travel & Education by $2,500
right-of-way department expenses
streets department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 5 FTE - 4 Equipment Operators, 1 Crew Chief Increases in all Salary and Benefits line items Technology line item increase to cover Snow Plow Tracker software
Furniture and Equipment line item increase to cover purchases of safety and storage equipment changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Travel & Education by $3,300
Reduced Capitalized Assets (Equipment) by $20,000
Remove Cost Allocations to Sewer Fund
street lights department expenses
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Increased Capitalized Assets (Equipment) by $300,000
UTILITYFUNDS DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURES
forestry & vector department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 2 FTEs - 2 Arborists
Increases in all Salary and Benefits line items
Increase to uniforms, phone, and technology for new employees
70% of City Forester/Stormwater Management Program Coordinator Salary moved to Forestry Budget
Gas line item added, previous expense was included in Public Works budget
Purchase of one new vehicle for additional employee
Purchase of one new vehicle per replacement schedule
sanitation department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 2 FTEs - 2 Equipment Operators
Increases in all Salary and Benefits line items
Increases to phone and technology line items
Non-landfill disposal line item increase due to new compost sites and freon appliance disposal site
Purchase of one new vehicle per replacement schedule
Purchase of additional sanitation collection equipment included in Capital Assets line item
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Corporate Education by $4,900
Reduced Travel by $6,500
Reduced Service Contracts by $10,000
sewer department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
70% of City Forester/Stormwater Management Program
Coordinator Salary moved to Forestry Budget
No new FTE requests for 2025
Sewer Treatment line item includes increased flow and rate increase from Fargo to send waste for treatment
Increased technology line item for computer replacement per schedule
changesfrompreliminarybudget
$112,069 in Cost Allocations moved from Street Fund to come out of Sewer Fund
water department expenses
notabledepartmentbudgetchanges2024-2025
Addition of 1 FTE - 1 Equipment Operator
Increases in all Salary and Benefits line items
Increases to uniforms, phone and technology line items
Technology line item increases to cover new computers and iPads per replacement schedule and includes software needs
Vehicle purchase of Dump Truck per vehicle replacement schedule
Purchase of loader included in Capital Assets line item
Fund 6020-490000 covers payment of 2012 and 2019 Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds
changesfrompreliminarybudget
Reduced Capitalized Assets (Equipment) by $50,000
Reduced Travel & Education by $2,400
OTHERSPECIAL FUNDS
DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURES
airport authority expenses
public library expenses
Salary and Benefit increases for Full Time Employees are standard across all line items
No new positions requested in 2025
2 FTEs added through budget amendment in 2024
Increase in Building Rental Line Item for Lodoen Center rent increase, and rent cost at City Hall Satellite location
Books and Magazine line item increase for increased postage and processing costs
E-Resources line item decrease due to discontinuing of Hoopla service
draft
2025 property tax/mill levy
*As of Sept. 12, 2024
*Fire Fund added into General Fund in 2025 *No Mills added from 2024 to 2025
*Discount factor of 4.2% applied for those who pay off specials during early discount window.
The number of mills levied by the City of West Fargo is added to the number of mills levied by all political subdivisions including Cass County, West Fargo Public School District, West Fargo Park District, Diversions, Water Districts and others to determine a consolidated mill levy for each property. The City of West Fargo will likely account for 25-30% of each property’s consolidated mill levy.
The preliminary property tax statement included a mill increase of 2.8 mills for the City of West Fargo. Since those tax statements were sent out, the City has removed the increase in mills. The only increase to your property tax from 2024 to 2025 will come as a result of your increased property value.
2025 Budget revenues by fund
*Sales Tax Revenues planned for 2025 Budget Use are included as transfers in, or earmarked for use in specific budget categories. Sales Tax Revenues as a whole are not included in the total budget revenue.
general revenue fund detail
utility fund detail
utilityratechangesfor2025
Increases in Utility Fund Revenues are based on an increase in Utility Rates. The following table shows the proposed rate increase for an average residential property. Rates will differ based on usage, meter size, garbage can/dumpster size, etc.
other levied fund revenue detail
Other levied funds have a specified number of mills dedicated specifically to one department or service. These mills are part of the City’s total 2025 Mill Levy.
public safety sales tax
capital improvement sales tax
economic development sales tax
additional special revenue funds
Generally, special revenues are either transferred into the General Fund Revenue or Other Revenue Funds.
Revenues in Funds 3000-3999 are used to pay Special Assessment Bonds, TIF Bonds, and other bonds taken out by the City to fund capital improvements.
Revenues in Funds 8000-8999 are used to pay park District Special Assessments
RIB: Refunding Improvement Bond (Special Assessment Infrastructure)
GO: General Obligation
W&S: Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds
TIF: Tax Increment Financing (Economic Development Projects)
RESERVE FUND REVENUES & EXPENSES
All Reserve Fund Expenses besides the $500,000 transfer in are related to the lease of the New City Hall Building and will be covered by cash reserves.
The West Fargo City Commission authorized the use of reserve funds for a 5-year building lease and related expenses in 2023.
next steps
This final budget draft will be presented to the City Commission at a special meeting on September 23, 2024. The Commission will provide feedback on the final budget draft, and staff may make additional changes between September 23 and October 7. The Commission will approve a final budget at their October 7 Meeting for submission to Cass County by October 10, 2024.
