MOORHEAD (KFGO/KVRR) – The Moorhead City Council has approved special assessments for the Southeast Main Avenue 20th/21st Streets underpass. Some residents and city council members are not happy with this process.
The city has a $7.5 million dollar bond to cover the local portion of the $76.5 million dollar project.
Two percent, or $1.5 million dollars, will be paid through special assessments by those in a specific area. The remaining 80% will be paid in a general tax levy paid by property taxpayers citywide.
Longtime Moorhead resident Susan Husel said the special assessment may be affordable for some but not for other homeowners, especially those older and young families:
Council member Deb White said the decision made several years ago “is very troubling…the most regressive way of raising money that we have available to us.” She said it doesn’t take into account a person’s income, or property values, just the size of a property lot.
For a lot of one acre or less, The special assessment means a payment of about $440, with an assessment of about $46 for the first year payment which can spread out over 20 years with a 5.5% interest rate or it can be paid up-front.
