Howdy DP fans – I live on the east side of the metro and I’m just wondering if it is typical for local (city) government to ask (read, coerce) residents to pay for repairs on public streets above and beyond what property owners pay property taxes?
The local city government is asking property owners to pay thousands of dollars in order to rebuild or resurface the street in front of our houses. The street is a public throroughfare.
In our case, we are being asked to pay in excess of $3,300 for a complete rebuild (a little more than half that if they just do a resurfacing). The plan is to assess this amount over 10 years at 6.2% interest, which in our case would result in paying $4,550 if they do a complete rebuild.
Repair of public streets and bridges is one of the few essential functions of local government (fire, police, water, sewage being the others). Does the fact that the city is asking residents for money above and beyond property taxes suggest that the city is not properly managing its budget? I’m planning to go to city hall at 11am to request more information on this issue. Will post additional comments as the week goes on. There is a city council meeting on Monday at which I plan to speak in opposition to this project, the necessity of which has apparently been presupposed for us.
Any advice as to other arguments I can give at city council would also be greatly appreciated. Please help!
-Thomas
Filed under: Uncategorized
