What are special assessments?

Special assessments are an additional tax levied on private property for public improvements that enhance the value of the property. The use of special assessments is an equitable means to finance the improvements while minimizing the demand on the City's property tax levy and statutory debt limitations. Special assessments are even more applicable if new improvements such as sanitary sewer or water are installed. Through special assessments, these utility costs are borne solely by the benefited property and not by the community at large. Special Assessments are typically payable over a period of years. The city’s current policy provides for special assessments to be collected with your property taxes over a 15 year period.

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1. What are public improvements?
2. What are special assessments?
3. What are the procedures for paying for public improvements under Minnesota State Law?
4. How are public improvements paid for in Lino Lakes?
5. What is the difference between road maintenance and road reconstruction?
6. Why can’t the City just maintain roads so they don’t need to be reconstructed?
7. What do those stakes mean?
8. Does the paint mark on my driveway indicate where the new street will be?
9. I'm worried about my trees and shrubs near the excavation area. Is there anything I can do?
10. It’s not raining. Why isn’t the contractor working?
11. Why are streets dug up so often during reconstruction?
12. What happens when schedules change on short notice?