Lakefield council adopts assessments for 2026 street and utility improvement project

The Lakefield City Council on June 8 adopted Resolution 26-17 after a public hearing on special assessments for the 2026 Street and Utility Improvement Project.

SEH engineer Dalton Kosek explained the assessment methodology and the assessable portions of the project: 30% of street reconstruction, 30% storm sewer, 60% sidewalk and 100% curb and gutter. The council approved per-front-foot assessment rates of $123.27 for reconstructed street, $39.66 for storm sewer, $28.09 for sidewalk and $29.70 for curb and gutter. The city established caps of $14,000 for interior properties and corner lots with both sides abutting the project, $7,000 for corner properties with one side abutting the project, and $1,500 for properties with only sidewalk work.

The council recorded estimated construction costs of $4,112,367, a 10% construction contingency of $411,236 and project-related costs of $1,028,092 for a total project budget of $5,551,695. Kosek outlined the planned funding split: approximately 11% from sanitary sewer utility, 20% from the water-main utility, 14% from special assessments and 55% from city funds, levies, bonds or other sources.

Assessment payments will be interest-free through Oct. 31, 2027; partial payments are permitted during that period. Unpaid balances will be certified to the county and placed on property tax statements for up to 20 years, with interest to be set after certification (Kosek said typical rates are about 4.5%–5.0%). No assessment payments may be made between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2027, to allow certification to the tax rolls. The council approved Resolution 26-17 by voice vote (Pavelko, Paplow, Condon, Monson and Hussong-Reasoner voting yes).