Those Sidewalks

At the last meeting, the Council reviewed the resolution that establishes the preliminary special assessment district for the 2013 sidewalk project area on Gladstone Way and Cass Place. While the Council appears to strongly support the Transportation Plan’s sidewalk goals within this area; a full evaluation and discussion of how to fund the improvement should probably be completed.

The Special Assessment Fund was established when the City borrowed money to fund a special assessment project. This debt is actually paid through the debt levy. Residents’ special assessment payments are used to replenish the fund for the next year. The fund usually needs to be replenished every three to five years based on interest rates, repayment choices and project size. The City uses $15,000 annually from this fund to maintain sidewalks and is the reason the fund is not self-maintaining.