MONROE - More than 40 residents packed City Hall on Tuesday night; some were in tears. One woman presented a petition with 300 signatures opposing the city policy on assessments for street reconstruction.
They came out to protest the city's policy of assessing residents along 16th Avenue for reconstruction scheduled for this year.
Most of the people were residents of 16th Avenue. Assessments for property owners total about $42,000. Individual property assessments range from more than $1,000 to almost $3,000.
During a 30-minute public hearing on a final resolution for 2008 street reconstruction, about 15 people spoke to the council.
Some spoke of their finances: fixed incomes, medical expenses, home repairs that have been postponed for lack of money.
David Chugg, Monroe, who is not affected by the assessments, called the assessment policy "unconscionable."
"Everyone is on a fixed income; we can't go to our employers and ask for more money," he said. "Monroe is not a wealthy community. Every dime goes out to pay bills."
Tracey Reich told council members she could not afford to repair her home's leaky roof because she didn't have the money. She said she cannot ask someone else to buy her a new roof.
"The city shouldn't have that privilege (of spending money it doesn't have) either," she said.
Noting three out of 10 houses foreclosed in her neighborhood, Reich said the assessments and Monroe's high taxes will cause more people to lose their homes.
"Unless you feel comfortable taking the keys out of people's hands, you shouldn't do this," she said.
Others brought to the floor the lack of fairness of assessing property owners along a street that is used by more than just its residents.
Resident Eric Skelton outlined "two key" points. He said the policy of assessment was "wrong or unjust." Skelton compared the "miles of streets" that run by residences to roads to get to businesses in town, while the city assesses the residents for the street costs.
"That doesn't seem right," he said.
Skelton also noted the hardship of the policy.
"It's not the right policy at the right time," he said.
Diedre Kundert said she understands the street and sewer systems needed repairs, but wanted to know why they were not given a "heads up" on the coming expense. She also doesn't understand the city's "installment payment privileges."
The resolution states a 7.5 percent interest rate per year would be charged on unpaid bills under a repayment plan.
"How could you have the heart to do the interest rate?" she said.
They came out to protest the city's policy of assessing residents along 16th Avenue for reconstruction scheduled for this year.
Most of the people were residents of 16th Avenue. Assessments for property owners total about $42,000. Individual property assessments range from more than $1,000 to almost $3,000.
During a 30-minute public hearing on a final resolution for 2008 street reconstruction, about 15 people spoke to the council.
Some spoke of their finances: fixed incomes, medical expenses, home repairs that have been postponed for lack of money.
David Chugg, Monroe, who is not affected by the assessments, called the assessment policy "unconscionable."
"Everyone is on a fixed income; we can't go to our employers and ask for more money," he said. "Monroe is not a wealthy community. Every dime goes out to pay bills."
Tracey Reich told council members she could not afford to repair her home's leaky roof because she didn't have the money. She said she cannot ask someone else to buy her a new roof.
"The city shouldn't have that privilege (of spending money it doesn't have) either," she said.
Noting three out of 10 houses foreclosed in her neighborhood, Reich said the assessments and Monroe's high taxes will cause more people to lose their homes.
"Unless you feel comfortable taking the keys out of people's hands, you shouldn't do this," she said.
Others brought to the floor the lack of fairness of assessing property owners along a street that is used by more than just its residents.
Resident Eric Skelton outlined "two key" points. He said the policy of assessment was "wrong or unjust." Skelton compared the "miles of streets" that run by residences to roads to get to businesses in town, while the city assesses the residents for the street costs.
"That doesn't seem right," he said.
Skelton also noted the hardship of the policy.
"It's not the right policy at the right time," he said.
Diedre Kundert said she understands the street and sewer systems needed repairs, but wanted to know why they were not given a "heads up" on the coming expense. She also doesn't understand the city's "installment payment privileges."
The resolution states a 7.5 percent interest rate per year would be charged on unpaid bills under a repayment plan.
"How could you have the heart to do the interest rate?" she said.