Victoria council seeks appraisal to guide homeowner assessments for 80th Street rebuild

At a City of Victoria workshop, staff presented a feasibility study for reconstructing 80th Street and council members agreed by consensus to solicit a special-benefit appraisal to inform homeowner assessments.

Amanda Meyer, the city presenter for the study, said the proposed project calls for a full reconstruction to city street standards — including curb, gutter and storm sewer — because “the pavement’s in really rough condition.” Meyer said the base feasibility estimate for street and storm work is $775,200 and that adding a water main would cost an additional $212,000.

Meyer said nine single-family parcels abut the cul-de-sac and that applying the city’s standard assessment policy (50% of street and storm costs borne by assessed properties) produces a per-unit assessment of $43,067. If the water main were included in the project and assessed according to the city’s policy, the per-property charge would rise by about $23,556.

Cara Garin, the city engineer, and Meyer noted the storm outfall would require permanent and temporary easements across property owned by Holy Family Catholic High School; staff emphasized easement acquisition costs were not included in the estimate. Meyer also noted the project is currently programmed in the capital improvement plan for 2026 and that staff anticipate construction during the 2026 season with completion in the fall of 2026.

Meyer reviewed assessment precedents and appraisal options. She said past per-unit assessments on comparable work were roughly $9,110 (2023 street project) and $12,000 for Stiger Lake Lane before a council reduction to $10,800. Citing state statute limits on assessments, Meyer said, “reconstructing this roadway is not going to add $43,000 worth of benefit to these properties,” and proposed a special-benefit appraisal to establish a defensible cap on assessments rather than rely solely on formula-based shares.

Staff described the special-benefit appraisal as a targeted before-and-after land-value study (excluding buildings), estimated likely to cost under $5,000, and said the appraisal result would set the legal cap for any assessment on the appraised parcel(s). Council members discussed the trade-off between paying for an appraisal up front and the risk and expense of defending higher assessments on appeal.

By consensus the council directed staff to issue an RFP for a special-benefit appraisal to inform final assessment calculations. Staff said the appraisal timing could affect the project schedule but indicated there was time to proceed with the study prior to formal hearings. The council did not take a final vote on assessment levels at the workshop.

The workshop ended with a motion to adjourn, which carried, and the council moved on to its regular meeting.