Council accepts early protest letters, likely stopping Deer Creek Parkway assessment as proposed

The Horace City Council voted to accept early protest letters relating to the Deer Creek Parkway improvement project, a move that increases the opposition above the 50% threshold for the proposed special assessment plan and means the city cannot proceed with the project under the current funding design.

Engineering staff summarized a revised design meant to reduce costs — narrower lane widths (24 feet), removal of the south sidewalk leaving a north shared‑use path and using an existing stormwater pond to consolidate infrastructure — producing an estimated savings of about $150,000. Staff also presented preliminary reassessment maps that would concentrate assessments on Deer Creek parcels.

Citizens submitted written objections concerned about special assessments for perceived limited benefit. Staff said timely protest letters reached roughly 47% and that including several letters submitted slightly early would push the protest above 50%. After debate about precedent and fairness, Council Member Sarah Veidt moved to accept the early protest letters; the motion passed, which prevents the current special assessment approach from moving forward unless the council chooses to fund the project from other sources.

Why it matters: Accepting the early letters shifts the financing picture for the Deer Creek project; it forces staff and council to revisit design, district boundaries and whether the city will absorb a larger portion of local costs in order to advance the improvements. Staff indicated they will return with a new improvement district boundary and design options if the council requests them.

What’s next: Engineering will prepare alternative designs and a new proposed district boundary for council review; the city could modify the cost‑share, rework the assessment boundaries, or choose to scale or delay the project.