MONROE - The City of Monroe's story on why residents are assessed for part of street reconstruction has changed.
At a Board of Public Works meeting March 31, Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber and City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said local (residential) streets reconstruction costs are assessed to property owners because they are the main users of those streets and reap the biggest benefits of reconstruction.
Gerber recently said in an interview with the Times that billing property owners for a portion of street reconstruction costs depends upon whether the ciy receives federal or state grant money for the projects - not upon the traffic flow.
Property owners usually are assessed for projects that grant money doesn't cover, he said, such as the 16th Avenue reconstruction.
The 2008 Engineer's Report for Street Improvements, prepared by Gerber, shows the total cost for reconstruction of the two blocks on 16th Avenue that can be assessed will be $140,000. More than $42,800 is being assessed to property owners for a bill between $1,060 and $2,971.
At a Board of Public Works meeting March 31, Engineering Supervisor Al Gerber and City Administrator Mark Vahlsing said local (residential) streets reconstruction costs are assessed to property owners because they are the main users of those streets and reap the biggest benefits of reconstruction.
Gerber recently said in an interview with the Times that billing property owners for a portion of street reconstruction costs depends upon whether the ciy receives federal or state grant money for the projects - not upon the traffic flow.
Property owners usually are assessed for projects that grant money doesn't cover, he said, such as the 16th Avenue reconstruction.
The 2008 Engineer's Report for Street Improvements, prepared by Gerber, shows the total cost for reconstruction of the two blocks on 16th Avenue that can be assessed will be $140,000. More than $42,800 is being assessed to property owners for a bill between $1,060 and $2,971.