Alma sets public hearing for State Street special assessment district to add sanitary laterals; owners to split lateral cost

The Alma City Commission received a staff report and set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 6 p.m. to consider creating Special Assessment District (SAD) 2026-1 to construct sanitary sewer leads on North State Street between Center and Superior.

Public Services Director Mr. Engle described the work as installing a sanitary main through the north half of the block, replacing or adding sanitary laterals where none exist, and installing sanitary cleanouts with cast-iron casting boxes in sidewalk areas to protect the cleanouts and allow future access. Mr. Engle told commissioners the SAD would establish 56 connection points (lateral connection to the main) and that "the city would pay half, property owner pay the other half," noting an overall per-connection cost projection of "just under $5,000." He said existing parcels without parcel ID numbers or where buildings contain multiple storefronts were being reviewed to map potential cleanouts and avoid later reexcavation of new streets.

Staff explained that if a parcel does not immediately connect to the new lateral, the new installation will be capped at the curb line with a cleanout and casting so owners can connect later without cutting into the street. The commission received the report and, by voice vote, set a public hearing for April 14 for the SAD proposal.

Next steps: staff will publish the hearing notice and provide more detailed design, parcel-to-parcel cost estimates, and an assessment schedule for property owners before the hearing.