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Alma approves six special-assessment districts to fund sanitary sewer and street reconstruction
Summary
The Alma City Commission authorized six SAD resolutions to replace sanitary mains and reconstruct streets on Pine, Charles, Richmond, Moyer, Austin/South River and Rosedale; residents pressed staff for details about staging, assessment calculations and payment options.
The Alma City Commission voted to authorize six special-assessment districts (SADs) covering Pine Avenue; Charles Avenue; Richmond Street; Moyer Avenue; Austin/South River; and Rosedale Street to fund sanitary sewer lead construction and related street reconstruction.
Public Services Director Dave Ringgold told the commission the projects pair sanitary replacements with street reconstruction and, for Pine Avenue, also use federal transit dollars. Ringgold said the city will pay half the cost of replaced sanitary laterals and property owners will pay the other half, but noted final assessments will depend on what crews find when they excavate: “The city pays 1 half of that cost. The property owner pays the other half of the sanitary sewer cost,” he said.
Ringgold cautioned the per-property estimates are conservative because the number of laterals and pipe material are often unknown until excavation; plastic laterals typically incur no charge. He said the city will hold neighborhood residents’ meetings before construction to explain staging, access and timing and to share final footage-based assessments.
Residents at the meeting sought clarifications on several points. Jeff Holmes, who identified himself as an owner at Alman Family Practices, asked how road closures and business access would be handled during construction; Ringgold replied that staff would coordinate a temporary construction plan and hold a residence meeting within weeks to review staging and options, with Saturday work possible but no planned night work. Pat McNeyer, representing eight Warwick Pines condominium units, flagged an estimated $4,096.27 per-unit assessment and asked about payment plans and senior assistance; Ringgold said final bills will depend on field findings and noted the commission can set multi-year installment schedules.
After the presentation and public Q&A the commission closed the hearings and passed resolutions to authorize each SAD by voice vote. Commissioners later set payment terms for the six SADs at 60 months with interest fixed at 1% above the treasury rate; staff said assessments will be billed through property tax rolls and that prepayment carries no penalty.
The city manager’s report and related staff updates noted upcoming resident meetings, schedule estimates (contracted Pine Avenue work is projected to start in April, subject to contractor, weather and school coordination) and a plan to invite affected property owners to site-specific meetings before construction begins.
Votes at a glance - SAD 2024-1 (Pine Avenue sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote. - SAD 2024-2 (Charles Avenue sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote. - SAD 2024-3 (Richmond Street sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote. - SAD 2024-4 (Moyer Avenue sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote. - SAD 2024-5 (Austin/South River sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote. - SAD 2024-6 (Rosedale Street sanitary sewer leads construction project): approved by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will notify affected property owners of residence meetings to review staging, finalize lateral footage, and confirm final SAD calculations before the city establishes final assessments.
