Workshop- Dan Schluender, City Engineer
Title
Title
Special Assessments Review
end
Background
Staff will review the Purpose and Authority of Special Assessments as outlined in the Minnesota Statues Chapter 429. As background information to this discussion you will find attached to this item the League of Minnesota Information Memo Special Assessment Toolkit which outlines the process a city can use to assess benefit to selected properties.
Staff will then review how Special Assessments have been utilized on street reconstruction projects over the past 10+ years here in the city.
Finally staff will review the different funding sources available for these projects. The current funding method used by the city of Blaine which is a combination of special assessments and property taxes. Other funding options including Franchise Fees (case study of the City of Brooklyn Park is included as an attachment) and/or an increase to the General Fund Levy to remove special assessments.
Staff Recommendation
Review and discuss Special Assessment process and procedure. Review alternative funding sources for project funding and determine if council would like staff to further analyze the financial impact of a move away from special assessments and schedule for a future workshop discussion.
Attachment List
League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo Special Assessment Toolkit
List of projects for which special assessments have been levied