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Council members, staff explain Baxter's ERU assessment approach and project subsidies
Summary
Council members and staff described the Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) method used for assessments, explained measurement practices for road projects and said unpaid assessments can be placed on tax statements; staff also referenced that the city subsidizes over 60% of some water/street projects.
Council members and staff used the meeting's public-discussion exchange to explain how the city calculates and applies property assessments for infrastructure projects. A committee member described the ERU system, linear and 40-foot measurement practices and how cul-de-sac frontage is treated. "The ERU thing is the fairest system available," a council member said during the exchange.
Staff clarified that unpaid assessments may be added to property tax statements for collection over time. In the discussion one participant characterized Baxter's approach as subsidizing water and street projects "to the tune of paying 60 some over 60% of the project," language that council members used to explain how costs are distributed. The council discussion explained process details but did not change the policy during the meeting; residents were told the assessment policy had been developed through prior committee work and adopted procedures govern measurement and billing.
