CROSSLAKE — Properties abutting and benefitting from this summer’s road improvement project in Crosslake will be assessed $4,000 each.
The Crosslake City Council voted 3-1-1 during a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 28, to charge the assessments for the Wild Wind Ranch Drive ($48,000), Rushmoor Boulevard and Rushmoor Trail ($156,000), and Birch Narrows Road ($182,000) projects.
Council member Dave Schrupp abstained from voting because he lives on one of the roads. Mayor Dave Nevin voted against assessing property owners because of the $4,000 amount.
At an assessment hearing Sept. 14, the council vote on assessments was 2-2 with Schrupp absent. That day, council member John Andrews voted with Nevin not to assess the property owners.
As adopted, property owners can pay the assessments over 15 years at 5% interest.
Property owners can appeal an assessment to district court.
In June, after having decided against assessing properties for the sewer expansion project, the council agreed to continue its policy to assess road projects at $4,000 per property, with Schrupp abstaining from the vote.
At the start of the Sept. 28 meeting, City Administrator Mike Lyonais said the council vote last spring to do the road projects and assess property owners was 5-0.
The council’s options now, Lyonais said, were to approve assessments or not approve them and have the city pay the entire cost. It’s too late to consider a tax abatement bond or to hold a referendum for voters to decide.
The council must assess a minimum of 20% of the project or it’s not in compliance with state statute.
“At this point, your two choices are either follow what your intent was back in March and April, or not assess it and write a check for the whole project and spend your reserves down,” Lyonais said. “You will have more road projects and this issue will come back up again.”
He said since the council’s decision last spring to go forward with the road projects with assessments, the city has received three $4,000 payments.
Find recordings of Crosslake City Council meetings on the city’s YouTube channel.
Nancy Vogt, editor, may be reached at 218-855-5877 or
nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com
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