This page will contain various resources related to the proposed changes in sidewalk financing.

The committee is working on a new model for sidewalk financing because our current program assesses the cost to the adjacent property owner. These charges can be upwards of $10,000 or $15,000 for the homeowner. This can work out to an additional $100 or more per month being added to the the person's tax bill. The proposal we are considering will spread a much larger percentage of the cost of installing sidewalks to the whole community.

Health Insurance Model

The financing model is based on the concept used in the health insurance industry. There will be a premium, deductible, co-pay, out of pocket maximum, and city payment cap. The proposal being considers uses the following numbers:

Deductible: $300

Co-pay: City pays 70%, Property owner pays 30%

Max out of pocket: $2000

City cap: $15,000

Premium: This is the increase in general taxes necessary to finance the program.

 

The Numbers

This spreadsheet shows all the sidewalk assessements over the last five years with the formula applied.

This spreadsheet shows how a rebate could be applied to people currently paying an existing assessment. This one requires some explanation. This was developed by Scott Paasch in the finance department who has been extremely helpful in this process.

 

Outstanding issues

• What about people who recently paid for their sidewalk in full? Committee voted not to include any kind of reimbursement or assistance for past projects.
• Who should be included in this program? We are thinking it should not apply to sidewalks ordered in as a condition of subdivision. We are not clear about how to handle sidewalk ordered in as a condition of building permits. When someone does a remodel in an older neighborhood with no sidewalk, the city often requires them to put in the sidewalk as a condition of getting their building permit. I think the program would apply here. When a person builds a new house on a lot in a new subdivision they have to cut the driveway approach into the new sidewalks. Maybe these don't come in the program. Committee voted to only include ordered in projects. No installations that are voluntary, triggered by building permit, or as a condition of subdivision.
• How do we prioritize projects? Now that sidewalks will not be so expensive, more people will want them. We do have a master sidewalk plan that prioritizes where they need to go. We will want to look at that plan and probably update it and add more detail.
• How do we get more sidewalks faster? What is the right funding level for this program? What additional funding sources may be available such as the county gas tax.

Process and timeline

The sub-committee plans to make a recommendation to the Public Works committee by the end of 2011. The public works committee will probably work on it for a couple of months. We will then forward a proposal on to the council for a public hearing and hopefully work it into the FY2013 budget.

If you have thoughts about sidewalk financing please share them with me or the whole council.