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Residents question assessment math and mailing costs for utilities expansion program
Summary
Residents and at least one neighborhood representative urged the council to explain why properties with similar frontage are receiving different Ultimate Expansion Program (UEP) assessments, and said notices and financing terms are confusing; councilors and city staff said the methodology used is square footage, not frontage.
Residents attending the Nov. 5 council meeting raised concerns about the city’s utilities expansion program (UEP), citing large advertised assessment amounts, differences between neighboring lots and the cost of mailings and record searches.
A resident identified in the record as Kyle Lhamadou said his assessment for the utilities expansion was $37,395.60 if paid by March 31 and that financing options over 20–30 years would increase the total paid to more than triple that amount when interest is included. He said a neighbor with ostensibly identical frontage was charged several thousand dollars less and asked the city to explain the difference.
Council members and the city manager responded that the assessment methodology chosen for the program allocates costs by lot square footage rather than by street frontage. Staff said that method was selected to normalize costs across the city’s many shaped lots (pie‑shaped lots, circle roads and waterfront irregularities) and that presentations explaining the methodology are available. The manager said staff will provide the finance presentations and work papers used to calculate assessments.
Mr. Lhamadou also asked for the cost of the mailed notice to property owners; the city agreed to provide the costs in response to a records request. Separately, other public commenters said recent public‑records requests have not always been fulfilled in the expected timeline; staff said they would follow up with the requestors.
Councilors encouraged residents with immediate parcel questions to contact 311 or to email their council member; staff said they would respond and provide documentation showing the assessment methodology and the mailing cost.
