BIA Advocacy Update

Building Industry Connect with West Fargo Commissioners

We were honored to be joined by Commissioners Amy Zundel and Tyler Erickson at September's Building Industry Connect, sponsored by Cass County Electric Cooperative. It was a great chance to get to know each commissioner better and understand how their perspectives have changed or been enhanced since joining the commission; three months for Commissioner Erickson and over the past two years for Commissioner Zundel. 

We discussed the desire for commercial growth, the master area growth plan, interchanges, the 3% property tax cap, incentives and more. We appreciate their time spent with us and their service to our community. 

Fargo Special Election on Oct. 6, 2026

The city of Fargo is holding a special election regarding a change in the city's form of government.

Ballot Question: Shall the city of Fargo change from its organization under the commission system of government and become a city under a ward-based council form of government. 

We've put together an information page that contains voting information, a sample ballot and more. 

Click here to access the webpage.

The BIA encourages all those eligible to vote, to get out and vote!

News from National Association of Home Builders

New agency WOTUS proposal would eliminate 'wet season' concept

The Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently announced a supplemental proposed rule in regards to defining "waters of the United States" (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. 

The supplemental proposal would eliminate the wet season concept and instead limit jurisdiction to perennial waters. This was in response to comments received on their Nov. 2025 proposed WOTUS rule, especially concerns around the proposed "wet season" concept that would have allowed waters that flow continuously during the time when precipitation exceeds evapotranspiration, and wetlands with surface water during that period, to qualify for federal jurisdiction.

This proposed rule would make the definition narrower, and focuses on waters that flow year-round (perennial waters).

The National Association of Home Builders has been involved in the process since the beginning, and encourages the agencies to "consider alternatives that eliminate the uncertain wet-season test and more clearly distinguish federally regulated waters from land and features regulated under state or local law."

For more information on all this proposed rule does and the process, click here.