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SPECIAL ASSESSMENT BILLINGS
Any citizen desiring to originate a proposal that a certain public improvement be constructed in their immediate neighborhood (i.e. an alley or road), to be paid for by special assessment, may obtain a petition from the City Engineer. It must be signed by the majority of residents affected by the improvement in order to filed with the Engineer.
The Board of Local Improvements then calls a hearing to consider the proposal. There will be a public hearing, at which time the owner of each parcel affected should indicate orally or in writing his or her approval or disapproval of the proposal.
Special Assessments are paid for through the Capitol Improvement Fund. The homeowners pay for 50% of the final cost and the City pays the other 50% of the project costs.
The City of Evanston does offer an assistance program financed by Community Development Block Grants to residents who qualify. The guidelines for qualifying for this program are that of the Federal Program for Housing and Urban Development and is based on family income.
At the time the bills are sent, the City of Evanston’s Community Development Block Grant Special Assessment Assistance Income Survey accompanies them.
Depending on how much funding remains in this program and the number of individuals qualifying for this program any given year, the city will pay a portion or all of the special assessment for qualifying individuals.
Installment payments of the assessment by property owners are usually spread over 10 years and billed annually.
The first installment becomes due and payable on January 2nd, immediately following the date of the first voucher. However interest at 7% runs from 60 days after the date of the first voucher to date of payment, on the first installment. On the remaining installments, the interest runs to January 2nd of the year following the date of the first voucher. The 2nd to the 10th installments are due one at a time on January 2nd of each succeeding year, with interest on the current installment to the date of payment and interest on the remaining unpaid installments.
One or several or all of the remaining installments may be paid at any time with interest to the date of payment. Also, you may avoid some or all interest if paid before the 60 days.
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