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DPW proposes 6% hike in sidewalk and driveway assessment rates for 2026; alley rate to fall after competitive bids
Summary
DPW told the committee that rising concrete costs support a proposed 6% increase in sidewalk and driveway assessment rates for 2026, while competitive bids are reducing concrete alley reconstruction rates by about 10%. The committee placed the report on file.
The Department of Public Works presented its 2026 assessment‑rates report to the committee and recommended changes to how adjacent property owners are assessed for certain street and sidewalk work.
Holly Rutenbeck of DPW said the city uses a three‑year average of actual costs to set assessment rates and that recent increases in sidewalk and driveway replacement costs prompted a recommendation to raise those assessment rates about 6% for 2026. "We saw that there was a small increase and so are proposing a 6% increase in the assessment rates for sidewalk and driveway in 2026," Rutenbeck said.
Rutenbeck told the committee that concrete alley reconstruction received very competitive bids this year, so DPW proposes a roughly 10% decrease to that assessment rate. She added that the assessment for speed humps will remain fixed at $2.75 per linear frontage foot and noted recovery ratios for traffic‑calming vary by type.
The committee placed the report on file. Alderman Mohammed moved to file the item and there was no objection.
