Special Assessment Districts

Special Assessment is a method of financing a public improvement whereby the benefiting properties pay a proportionate share of the expense to install the improvement.  The City has utilized special assessment districts to pave and re-pave residential roads.   The interest rate and the date the special assessment starts to accrue interest is set by City Council as a part of the special assessment process.   Special assessments may be paid-off at any time.  If paid-off before the interest start date set by City Council, no interest will accrue.  Currently, the road paving special assessments are billed to the property owner in yearly installments over a fifteen-year period.  These yearly installments are billed in April and can be paid thru the following June without additional charges.  If the yearly installment is unpaid on July 1, a 1/2% administrative fee is assessed against the unpaid balance of the installment.  On August 1, if the installment remains unpaid, another 1/2% administrative fee is assessed against the unpaid installment balance.  Each year on September 1, any unpaid balances on these special assessment installments are assigned to the Winter tax roll with a tax assignment fee equivalent to the interest rate of the subject assessment roll times the outstanding installment balance.  To see our convenient payment options, please click here.

Special assessments are a lien against the property until paid.  The City will only subordinate its lien position to a financial institution if the request is for a rate and term refinance of an existing mortgage on a principal residence.  To obtain a pay-off amount or for subordination questions, call 248-841-2581.