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Rexburg Council Approves LID 55, Excludes East 7th South After Residents Decry High Assessments
Summary
After a public hearing with multiple residents saying proposed assessments would be unaffordable, the Rexburg City Council voted 5–1 to proceed with Local Improvement District 55 but remove the East 7th South segment and to revisit administrative and sewer reconnection fees.
The Rexburg City Council voted 5–1 on Feb. 18 to proceed with Local Improvement District 55 while excluding East 7th South after residents described the proposed assessments as an overwhelming financial burden.
The decision followed a public hearing in which multiple homeowners urged the council to delay or reallocate costs. Danny Kessler, representing eight affected households, told the council that “each household is facing an estimated assessment of 16 to $22,000, roughly $220 to $300 per month for 10 years,” and asked the city to remove a 12% administrative fee and increase the city’s contribution. Lisa Ellis, a long‑time resident, said the added monthly payment would be unaffordable, adding, “there’s only so much blood you can get out of this turnip.” Other speakers cited age, retirement, rental impacts and construction disruptions.
City staff and council members described the mechanics that lead to uneven assessments: many affected parcels were built under county jurisdiction with larger frontages and lacked existing city infrastructure, which increases per‑parcel assessment because new curb, gutter and sewer stub work are being added. Public works director Keith Davidson explained that some sections (for example portions of Ash Avenue) have failing sewer lines that are pressing reasons to proceed; other sections, he said, could be removed or delayed.
Council debate focused on fairness and timing. Council member Johnson argued the city could reprioritize general‑fund spending to reduce burdens on a few homeowners; others cautioned that postponing projects raises costs and can worsen infrastructure failures. The council voted to exclude East 7th South (7th South east of 12th West to Highway 20) from the current LID and directed staff to review administrative/engineering fees, the sewer reconnection charges, and other line items to try to reduce homeowner assessments.
Mayor and staff noted schedules for summer construction and explained that delaying the entire LID could push projects into later years and increase bid prices. Staff also clarified the administrative fee covers engineering and long‑term loan management services for installment assessments.
What's next: council directed staff to refine the LID estimates, explore cost reductions (including removing optional landscaping or splitting bid items), and bring revised numbers back to the council. Construction on the approved sections will proceed through the standard bid and contracting process; details and final assessments will be published after bids and final fee determinations.
The council’s vote was the meeting’s primary formal action on the LID; staff emphasized residents will have a period to review final notices once the council finalizes project scope and financing terms.
