HORACE, N.D. — Some Horace families say the dream of homeownership is slipping away as they continue fighting sky-high special assessments.

A lawsuit challenging the assessments has been dismissed, leaving residents with bills as high as $100,000 and few options left. But an attorney representing the homeowners says the battle is far from over.

This week, a Cass County judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by homeowners against the city, ruling they did not appeal within 30 days.

Attorney Brandon Erickson said the decision is a setback but also a starting point for broader reforms to the special assessment process.

“We can't just bury our head in the sand and just say, well, 'We'll just take it, because that's the way we've done it for 100 years,'” Erickson said.

Erickson represents more

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