I oppose it. Because imposing hectic special assessment burdens on adjacent property owners is not a fair mechanism. Instead, the cost of new projects should be paid for by a broader community who benefits from them. This viewpoint was also shared by the City Council, who passed Enactment # R-20-189 on June 1, 2020: “Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Prepare Resolutions to Approve Ballot Language for a Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage”. If the existing taxation mechanism is not convincing, it is urgent to recognize it and take action promptly, including on projects not yet materialized.
The sidewalk does not improve the homeowners’ property value enough to justify the large tax burden of the special assessment. If the sidewalk project is to proceed the cost should be shared by all Ann Arbor citizens.
I opposed to the use of special assessments to fund City driven sidewalk construction projects. The intent of the special assessment is to allocate public construction costs to the property owners that "especially benefit" from the property improvement. The current sidewalk projects, including Jackson Rd, Barton Rd and Nixon/Traver Rds, have been widely opposed by the properties owners on the grounds that it creates unnecessary financial burdens for the property owners. Several on Jackson Rd are concerned that they might lose their home/property as a result of the special assessment. The property owners have not requested the sidewalk construction. This needs to be delayed until a millage ballot is approved for an improvement that is a significant ongoing financial burden for the property owners for the benefit of the general public. In this situation a millage is the most equitable vehicle to fund the project.
I oppose it. Because imposing hectic special assessment burdens on adjacent property owners is not a fair mechanism. Instead, the cost of new projects should be paid for by a broader community who benefits from them. This viewpoint was also shared by the City Council, who passed Enactment # R-20-189 on June 1, 2020: “Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Prepare Resolutions to Approve Ballot Language for a Street, Bridge, and Sidewalk Millage”. If the existing taxation mechanism is not convincing, it is urgent to recognize it and take action promptly, including on projects not yet materialized.
The sidewalk does not improve the homeowners’ property value enough to justify the large tax burden of the special assessment. If the sidewalk project is to proceed the cost should be shared by all Ann Arbor citizens.
I opposed to the use of special assessments to fund City driven sidewalk construction projects. The intent of the special assessment is to allocate public construction costs to the property owners that "especially benefit" from the property improvement. The current sidewalk projects, including Jackson Rd, Barton Rd and Nixon/Traver Rds, have been widely opposed by the properties owners on the grounds that it creates unnecessary financial burdens for the property owners. Several on Jackson Rd are concerned that they might lose their home/property as a result of the special assessment. The property owners have not requested the sidewalk construction. This needs to be delayed until a millage ballot is approved for an improvement that is a significant ongoing financial burden for the property owners for the benefit of the general public. In this situation a millage is the most equitable vehicle to fund the project.