2002_0408_packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CITY OF LAUDERDALE ASSESSMENT POLICY MANUAL Special Assessments have three important applications: Financing New Improvements. The assessments are frequently used to finance the opening and surfacing of streets, installation of utility lines, construction of curb and gutter, and the provision of street lighting. Financing Redevelopment. When commercial and residential neighborhoods are confronted with deterioration, special assessments can be utilized in a variety of ways to good advantage to redevelop and revitalize an area. Financing Major Infrastructure Maintenance Programs. Large-scale repairs and maintenance operations on streets, sidewalks, sewers and similar facilities can and often should be financed with special assessments. SECTION 2: INTENT The policies contained in this document establish and delineate a procedure for undertaking public improvements and levying special assessments pursuant to Minnesota State Statutes. This policy should be viewed as a starting point for conducting assessments for public improvement projects. When an improvement conveys special benefit to properties in a definable area, the City intends to levy special assessments on those benefited properties to finance such improvements. It shall be the policy of the City of Lauderdale that the amount of the assessment for public improvements should not exceed the special benefit to the property. The City will use the assessment policy to insure that assessments have a reasonable relationship to benefits. Public improvements include the construction and reconstruction of streets, sidewalks, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water works, street lighting, or any other public improvements allowed by State law. When applying this assessment policy manual the City Council reserves the right to adjust the policy so as to achieve a more equitable distribution. This may occur in the event that the literal application of the provisions outlined herein would result in an inadequate distribution of special assessments. The City maintains the right to apply this policy differently for the purposes of fairness and equity. It should also be noted that any errors or omissions in this policy are not to be held against the City of Lauderdale.