Riverview council establishes five‑year special assessment district to fund police at 2 mills

The Riverview City Council on April 14 voted to establish a special assessment district that will allow the city to levy up to 2 mills annually for police protection and public safety services; the creation of the district covers all parcels inside the city and was approved by roll call.

City staff said the district is a renewal of an existing 2‑mill public safety assessment and that the council is establishing the district now for a five‑year period so the city need not repeat annual mailing notices. “So, you alluded to this is a five‑year assessment request, not a five‑year millage request,” City Manager Jeff said during the public hearing, adding that mailings to property owners cost about $7,000 annually and that the council will still hold an annual public hearing and yearly vote on the millage amount.

The council was presented with a cost estimate of $826,904 — described in staff materials as the dollar equivalent of 2 mills using the 2024 millage and subject to final calculation by the city assessor. The estimate, the staff report said, is intended to fund purchase of police vehicles, apparatus and equipment and to help defray operations and personnel costs of the Riverview Police Department.

Public commenters asked clarifying questions about scope and timing. Suzanne Stamper of Yorkshire Court said she and many neighbors found the mailed notice confusing and asked whether the action would raise taxes now; she asked plainly, “So nobody’s taxes are going up right now?” A city official responded that the measure is a renewal of the previously authorized 2‑mill assessment and that the council will vote on the millage each year.

Council discussion repeated two points staff emphasized: (1) the district, once created, would cover every lot and parcel within the city boundaries; and (2) the council will continue to vote each year on the millage amount — if the council does not approve the millage in a later year the levy would not be collected. Council members also said establishing the district for multiple years reduces repetitive mailing and administrative cost while preserving the council’s annual decision point.

A motion to adopt the resolution establishing the Riverview Police Protection Public Safety Special Assessment District and to direct the assessor to prepare a special assessment roll was made by Councilman Pray and supported by Councilman Robbins. The roll call vote recorded each council member as voting yes; the motion passed.

City staff said the assessor will publish a property‑level list showing how the 2 mills translate into dollar amounts based on the final taxable values; the city clerk’s office will make that material available at city hall and at the library once it is complete.

Background: Staff told the council that the city previously relied on revenue tied to the landfill and is adjusting its revenue plan as that income ends. The special assessment district is intended to help ensure the police department can maintain current staffing and equipment levels while the council and staff continue longer‑term fiscal planning.

The resolution as adopted directs the assessor to prepare the proposed special assessment levy roll and returns the matter to the council for the routine annual millage vote and any subsequent adjustments to the city budget.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution establishing Riverview Police Protection Public Safety Special Assessment District; directs assessor to prepare special assessment roll. Motion: Councilman Pray; second: Councilman Robbins. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). Estimated assessment amount presented: $826,904 (2 mills), subject to final assessor calculation.