In a flyer, Ward 1 opponent DAVID WAYNE ELVIG claims for the millions and millions worth of citizen-financed infrastructure - roads, sanitary sewer, undergrounded power, and storm sewer at Town Center - the City's security is a $3 million letter of credit.
He adds, "and $9 Million of assessments against the properties, as collateral against any public investment in the Town Center."
When you, as a taxpayer-citizen get assessed a tax or fee, what happens?
Generally, you promptly within the year pay to stay.
Why does it appear to be different at Town Center?
My opponent says "assessments against the properties, as collateral...". This sounds like Ramsey giving a loan of taxpayer wealth to private profit-seekers. He does not say assessments due and owing and collectible, and why not?
What I see here is opponent DAVID WAYNE ELVIG admitting the City is not collecting some assessments against Town Center. The money, if paid, could be used for city purposes. Instead, he seems to be suggesting assessments have accumulated to multi-million dollar amounts but go unpaid. He never says there's a payment plan or schedule, or if they ever will be paid.
The normal remedy for unpaid assessments, unless there's some contract or "handshake" promises my opponent neglects to mention, is to foreclose.
The City needs money to provide current services. Your taxes could be lower if this other income stream is due and collected, since it could be spent to retar roads, pay for policing neighborhoods, and pay for fire response - as examples.
We could even use some of the $9 million cash to pay the salaries for the planners now on payroll, with greater numbers of employees anticipated from the size of the new city hall.
Indeed, the money could be spent now to give better shelter from the cold than the two open air park-and-ride bus kiosks now at the site of the city hall & ramp.
Bottom line question: Why not foreclose any unpaid assessments without delay? The City seems to deserve it.
