The city has been taking a slow and deliberate approach to
paving some of the streets within the city.
It is the goal to get all gravel roads paved but recognize that this
will take a considerable amount of time and resources to accomplish. This is particularly true when you consider
the city would like to make these improvements without incurring debt.
This is a very conscious decision in picking and choosing
those roadways that make sense to pave. With the number of vacant lots throughout
the community that becomes a concern, particularly if the lots are tax
forfeited parcels. These lots can be
assessed but with no one to pay the assessment they become a drain on the city
to finance until such time as they are sold.
With assessments paying for the improvements it should be affordable to
property owners. That being said most
individuals want paved streets but really don’t want to pay for them. The goals for improvements can be difficult
with property owner objections as well as tax forfeit properties.
There are only so many resources that can be accumulated to
do improvements without incurring debt.
Some general fund revenues have been recognized and some assessment
income from past projects can be used. Road
improvements are costly. What may seem like
a lot of money doesn’t go very far when you talk about paving roadways.
This summer the city will be considering the paving of
Snowman Circle and a small section of Thrane Drive. Plans and specifications for the paving of
Snowman Circle and a portion of Thrane Drive have been approved. The
council has authorized the seeking of bids for these projects. If the cost for the paving is considered favorable,
the project will move forward with an assessment hearing. With a favorable outcome, paving of these
roadways will get completed this summer.
