Workshop- Dan Schluender, City Engineer
Title
Title
Introduction to Special Assessments
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Background
In 2022, Council requested staff to bring forward a Workshop item to discuss special assessments. The intention for this Retreat is to initiate discussions and provide Council with information and background on the use of special assessments within the framework of the city’s pavement management plan.
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 the City’s Public Improvement Special Assessment Policy has been utilized on street reconstruction projects over the past 10+ years here in the city. A spreadsheet is attached listing the assessed projects and costs over that time period.
Finally, staff will review the current funding method used by the city of Blaine which is a combination of special assessments and property taxes. The Special Assessment Policy is attached for reference. Staff will then introduce other potential funding sources available for these projects.
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. (Time has been set aside at a future workshop for additional discussion regarding special assessments, depending on the outcome of the retreat.)
Attachment List
League of Minnesota Cities Information Memo Special Assessment Toolkit
List of projects for which special assessments have been levied
Public Improvement Special Assessment Policy