Mount Clemens commission sets proposed downtown maintenance assessment rates, schedules second hearing

The Mount Clemens City Commission moved to close the first public hearing on a proposed downtown maintenance assessment and instructed the city assessor to prepare a special-assessment roll, setting a second hearing for Nov. 19, 2018.

City staff presented an enclosed map identifying primary and secondary downtown streets and estimated the 2018–19 maintenance expense at $54,900. Staff said a primary rate of $9.24 and a secondary rate of $4.23 would generate that total. "The enclosed map indicates primary and secondary streets for the downtown maintenance program," city staff said during the presentation.

Why it matters: the assessment would generate revenue to pay for recurring downtown services — staff identified snow removal and street sweeping as components of "contractual services" covered by the program. Commissioner Manser asked for clarity on what is included in contractual services and how current rates compare with prior years; staff replied that contractual services have been roughly the same for the last three years.

Commissioner Manser moved to close the hearing, adopt the rates, instruct the assessor to prepare the special-assessment roll and set a second public hearing for Nov. 19, 2018; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote. The commission took no final levy action at the meeting — the item will return for the scheduled second hearing and final action after the assessor prepares the roll.

Next steps: the assessor will prepare the special-assessment roll as directed and the commission will reconvene on Nov. 19 for the second public hearing on the downtown maintenance program.