Wilmar council closes 2024 assessment hearing after residents contest calculations; staff to verify figures for Sept. 16 continuation

Wilmar — After a two-hour public hearing on the city’s 2024 street-improvement assessments, the City Council closed the hearing on Aug. 15 and directed staff to verify assessment figures and respond to written and oral objections at a continued hearing on Sept. 16.

City Engineer Jared Bogie told the council the overall 2024 improvement program was estimated at about $11,665,000, with roughly $2,360,000 assessed to private properties and assessment rates set for reconstruction ($64/linear foot) and assorted water and sewer service charges. Bogie explained payment options, including a no-interest prepayment window ending Oct. 31, 2024, and a 15-year assessment term at 5.868% interest if added to property taxes.

Dozens of residents, led by Justin Mattern, objected to the assessment methodology and amounts. Mattern provided a written analysis asking for a 33% reduction of his assessment and questioned an apparent discrepancy between the city’s posted estimate and bid prices for the projects. “The notice states estimated assessable improvements of $11,660,000, of which nearly $3,100,000 is to be assessed,” Mattern said in his written submission; he argued the bids totaled about $9,260,000 and asked the council to re-evaluate how project costs and special benefits were calculated.

Several homeowners described surprise and hardship. Donna Eisley said she faces two assessments — on a corner lot — totaling nearly $17,700 for two street frontages and questioned whether those costs reflect market benefit to her property. Kathy Bannon, a longtime resident, said the project removed mature trees and has left her unable to afford the assessment: “I just don’t see how stripping away the beauty of this street … increases the value of my property,” she said. Other speakers raised timing and notice concerns and asked whether certain properties (for example, adjacent school property) were being treated fairly.

City Attorney Robert Smith told the council that statute requires the council to rule on each objection received either orally at the hearing or in writing. Smith said the council may resolve objections property-by-property tonight or continue the hearing to gather more information. Bogie acknowledged an error in a mailed notice that overstated some private assessments as $3,000,000 and clarified staff’s working figure is approximately $2,360,000; he also explained some differences between construction bid totals and the full project budget, which includes bonding, engineering, testing and administrative costs.

After extended council discussion about fairness and the mechanics of notice and deferment, Mayor closed the public hearing and moved the matter forward for staff verification. The council voted to continue consideration and to resolve objections for those who appeared or submitted letters at a continued public hearing set for the regularly scheduled Sept. 16 meeting.

What’s next: Staff will verify property-level assessment calculations, identify any properties that were misclassified or omitted, and return recommended adjustments and rulings on submitted objections at the Sept. 16 continuation. The council has legal authority to adopt the assessment roll now or to delay adoption pending those rulings.