09-14-1993 Charter Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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base would be shifted. Mr. Tester also explained that the tax burden has been shifted to the lower value homes by the state legislature. Mr. Kaim asked who will see that his taxes go down and that the City government does not spend more? Sally Kuether, 7080 Rice Lake Lane - Ms. Kuether said that no one is promising that taxes will go down but they will stabilize and not go up. Mr. Smith said that the intent is to shift the tax burden from the residential property to the commercial/industrial property. He also noted that the three (3) areas being discussed are located on the major highways and commercial traffic will not be coming into the neighborhoods. Jerry Hanson, 1178 Main Street - Mr. Hanson said he was confused and asked if there was a specific change being proposed and what is the exact language? Mr. Wessel said that the exact language is not yet drafted but he will have this information for the meeting tomorrow. The intent of the public meeting was to provide general information. Arlene Averbeck, 7855 Lake Drive - Ms. Averbeck asked in regard to the 49/Lake Drive intersection improvement with the present Charter provisions he can "opt" out of the assessment. What makes him pay under Chapter 429? Mr. Schneider explained that one (1) property owner owns the entire portion of the intersection and can petition against the assessment under the City Charter provisions. However, under Chapter 429 he would be assessed his fair share. This is a $1,800, 000. 00 project. The State has pledged $800, 000. 00, the County has pledged $500, 000. 00 and the City must pay the balance of $500, 000.00. The Charter does not allow the City to take this from general taxes and also allows the property owner to "opt" out of the assessment. Where is the City going to get the money to pay its portion of the improvement? A gentleman asked if a bond could be sold. Mr. Schneider explained that bonds cannot not be sold without a method to repay them and where is that money going to come from if it cannot come from general taxes or from assessments? Mark Rehbein, 7545 Patti Drive - Mr. Rehbein asked what the Mayor's position on the matter is. Mayor Reinert was not in the audience. Joe Kaim, 6324 Deerwood Lane - Mr. Kaim asked if the assessment could be due over a period of time and added to the property taxes? He also asked if the assessment was limited to the amount of increase in property value. Mr. Peskar said yes to both questions and this is essentially the same process as under State Statute 429. PAGE 8