Article Summary –
The Missoula City Council is advancing a sidewalk project that has raised questions about the cost to property owners. Some residents are concerned about their estimated assessments for the project, with one couple facing a bill of $9,000, leading three council members to attempt to abolish the assessments. The council approved phase one of the project, which includes improving sidewalks along Ivy and Franklin, and awarded the construction bid to Knife River for $1.37 million, with about $185,000 to be paid by assessments.
Missoula City Council Advances Sidewalk Project Amid Financial Concerns
The Missoula City Council has recently made progress on a sidewalk project that sparked renewed dialogue on the financial strain it may impose on property owners. The involved homeowners were first contacted regarding the project in late October, raising concerns for several Rose Park neighborhood residents due to their estimated project assessments, including a $9,000 bill faced by one couple. This instigated some council members to propose abolishing these assessments.
Ward 3 council member Daniel Carlino has been pushing for discussions on alternative solutions since last year. He expressed disappointment over the council’s approval of another hefty sidewalk project before discussing alternatives. The council approved the first phase of the Rose Park project — improving sidewalks and other street work along Ivy and Franklin from South Fourth Street West to Woodford Street — with Carlino casting the only dissenting vote. The contract was unanimously awarded to Knife River for $1.37 million, with 15%, or roughly $185,000, to be covered by assessments.
Missoula’s Sidewalk Cost-Sharing Formula and Potential Changes
The cost-sharing formula used for sidewalk projects was significantly modified in 2020, sparking a debate among council members about its effectiveness. Prior to 2012, property owners bore the full cost of sidewalk enhancements next to their properties. The city later introduced a cost-sharing formula to offset rising costs for residents, and it has been adjusted over time to account for inflation and to reduce property owners’ part of the bill.
Jeremy Keene, the city’s public works director, has presented several potential amendments to the assessment system to lower costs for property owners. He suggested changes could be applied retroactively to current projects before issuing bonds, which happen after construction concludes. However, he warned that many of these changes would have budget implications.
The Challenge of Sidewalk Connectivity in Missoula
Keene stated that building the city’s 220 miles of missing sidewalks is a significant challenge, costing approximately $100 million in today’s dollars. The public works department allocates roughly $607,000 each year for sidewalks, with between $430,000 and $465,000 coming from road district revenue.
The city is set to receive almost $500,000 in assessments from property owners this year due to a delay in a Northside neighborhood sidewalk project. This is considerably higher than the usual $142,000 assessment income.
Council member Carlino, alongside others, has proposed completely funding sidewalk projects, arguing that they should be considered public infrastructure. He also suggested that the council should be more concerned about imposing thousands of dollars of additional costs on individual households.
Council members appear open to further discussion and compromise on these issues, showing a collective interest in finding a resolution that benefits everyone.
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