199 property owners within the Boundaries of WPCANA have or will be receiving notice of the proposed assessment district cost for bringing streetlights onto your block. This goes back about three years ago when the Board solicited responses from a substantial portion of the neighborhood as to possible cost and a non binding vote about as to whether or not to pursue a special program for funding, in which property owners would share the development cost with the city. Only blocks with >50% favorable interest were considered and then the actual proposal was developed by the city to create a contiguous district. The cost is higher than expected. Staff has requested and the city did approve more funding from the city. The city will be contributing 455,000 to the project. In the notice , staff is saying that over the 15 year period of assessment the cost per 40' of frontage/assessed will be 199/year...a much better figure than the 290/year they came to us with 4 weeks ago. There are special allowances for corner properties being served on both sides. The Board favors the streetlights, albeit expensive. The assessment will be part of your property tax bill i.e..could be tax deductible. There will also be a yearly bump in the Landscape & Lighting portion of the bill, staff has said between 20-30 dollars. The assessment stays with property, not the owner, in the event of sale of the property. Remember, lights have major benefits: less crime both auto and burglary, bring higher property values and safety for walking at night. Leave questions here or wpcana@hotmail.com
Bruce Holmes
Chair WPCANA
Bruce Holmes
Chair WPCANA
