Request for Committee Action
A briefing memo explaining the purpose, background, and impact of the requested action.
Updating Uniform Assessment Rates (RCA-2025-01102)
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
To Committee(s)
| # | Committee Name | Meeting Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Climate & Infrastructure Committee | September 30, 2025 |
Action Item(s)
| # | File Type | Subcategory | Item Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Resolution | Assessment | Passage of Resolution updating uniform assessment rates for street construction, street renovation, street resurfacing, alley construction and alley resurfacing improvements. |
Previous Actions
Ward / Neighborhood / Address
| # | Ward | Neighborhood | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | All Wards |
Background Analysis
Public Works is recommending an increase in the uniform assessment rates (UAR) of $0.22 per square foot to the non-residential street construction rate for an updated rate of $3.20 per square foot, an increase of $0.12 per square foot to the residential street construction rate for an updated rate of $1.12 per square foot, and an increase of $0.14per square foot to the alley construction rate for an updated rate of $0.56 per square foot (see attachments).
The City Council establishes a yearly UAR for street construction, renovation, resurfacing, and alley construction and resurfacing projects. The City Council’s adopted policy is to assess 25% of the project cost to benefitting property owners. The UAR is made up of the costs of labor and common construction materials that go into Public Works' projects each year which can be impacted by variations. Factors that drive costs can include skilled-worker availability, tariffs, shipping delays, and inflationary pressures.
Streets that are constructed/reconstructed have an expected life of 40 years and are assessed over a 20-year term. Streets that are renovated have an expected life of 20 years and are assessed over a 10-year term. Streets that are resurfaced have an expected life of 10 years and are assessed over a 5-year term.
The UAR is established rather than using costs specific to each project because one project area may be more costly due to poor weather during construction, poor soil conditions or other factors.