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Council approves assessments and interfund loan to fund completed curb, gutter and sidewalk projects
Summary
Missoula City Council approved a resolution levying assessments totaling $335,361.47 for completed curb, gutter and sidewalk improvements and authorized an interfund loan via city warrants to finance the 2024 projects; both measures passed unanimously.
The Missoula City Council on Aug. 25 approved two related measures to finalize financing for completed curb, gutter and sidewalk projects: (1) a resolution creating a special assessment district and levying assessments of $335,361.47 for 43 parcels tied to several right‑of‑way improvement projects; and (2) an authorization for an interfund loan and issuance of city warrants to finance 2024 curb and sidewalk construction projects.
City Clerk Claire Trimble and Finance Director Lee Griffin explained that the levied assessments reimburse the city for homeowner shares of previously completed improvements across multiple projects (including Wharton–Turner and Ivy Franklin Phase 1 right‑of‑way work) and that property owners were notified in advance and given a public hearing opportunity. Trimble told council staff received no pre‑hearing protests on the parcels gathered for this action.
Trimble and Griffin described the interfund loan as an uncommon but legally permissible financing mechanism under state code. According to Trimble, the city worked with bond counsel and municipal finance advisors to secure a favorable interest rate on an internal interfund loan mechanism called "warrants," reducing closing costs that would be typical in the commercial bond market.
There were minimal public comments. One online commenter asked whether the financing would increase taxes; staff did not identify a tax increase tied to the warrants but noted the assessment levy collects property owner shares for completed work. Both measures passed by roll call vote, with councilors recording unanimous yes votes.
Key figures and documents cited during the meeting included a map of the 43 parcels attached to the agenda, the assessment total of $335,361.47 for item 5.1, and the interfund loan motion for item 5.2. The council also asked questions about the projects and thanked staff for providing visuals and for the finance department’s work to minimize costs.
Next steps: the city will submit the assessments to the county for collection on tax rolls and will issue warrants under the interfund loan authorization to finance the 2024 curb and sidewalk projects; staff will handle related administrative steps and inform affected property owners.
