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4. Is there any limit to the amount of a special assessment? <br /> I The amount that is charged to a particular property must be based <br /> upon the benefits that the property will receive from the <br /> improvement. Cities cannot charge an amount greater than the <br /> amount the benefit will increase the value of the property. <br /> I 5. What is the procedure to use special assessments? <br /> A The process to use special assessments is fairly involved. See the <br /> -1 Local Improvement Guide(LMC 515AIA.3) for sample forms and <br /> a detailed discussion of the special assessment procedure. The <br /> following is a summary of the procedure: <br /> ♦ Initiation ofproceedings. The proceedings may be initiated <br /> by the council OR by a petition of affected property <br /> owners. <br /> I ♦ Preparation of a feasibility report on the improvement. <br /> The city engineer(or other competent person) must prepare <br /> I a report on the proposed improvement,and whether it is <br /> necessary, cost-effective, and feasible. <br /> ♦ Notice of the public hearing on the improvement. A public <br /> hearing must be held on the proposed improvement. The <br /> city must publish notice of the public hearing to consider <br /> the proposed improvement. It must be published twice with <br /> ' the notices appearing at least one week apart.At least three <br /> days must elapse between the last publication and the date <br /> of the hearing. The city must also mail notice to each <br /> property owner in the proposed assessment area at least 10 <br /> days prior to the hearing. The notice must contain a <br /> statement that a reasonable estimate of the impact of the <br /> assessment will be available at the hearing. <br /> ♦ Public hearing on the improvement. At the hearing,the <br /> council should give interested people a chance to voice <br /> their concerns,whether or not they are in the proposed <br /> assessment area.A reasonable estimate of the total amount <br /> ' to be assessed and a description of the methodology used to <br /> calculate individual assessments for affected parcels must <br /> be available at the hearing. When a petition signed by 100 <br /> percent of the landowners requests the improvement,the <br /> council may order the improvement without a hearing. <br /> ' Local Improvement Guide 9 <br /> I <br />