Deferred Payments In the Future?

The city of Rochester has had an assessment strategy for many years when it comes to payment for curb and gutter installation, sidewalk installation, and street reconstruction. As we face the necessity to possibly increase street reconstruction rates in the future we also anticipate that there may be some homeowners who will have difficulty in making those payments. Until now, the problem has been discussed but no action had been taken. We are now investigating a plan to defer payment for those qualified until the house is sold or the property owner dies and the estate transfers title.
The basic plan would allow property owners to claim a deferment based on age (over 65) or permanent disability as well as meeting low-income criteria as set by the most recent U.S Census Bureau poverty threshold guidelines. Two examples: a single 65-year-old living alone must earn $9,060 or less and a household of two 65-year-olds would have to have an income of $11,418 or less to qualify.

The council expects to pass a resolution putting this in effect at our May 16 meeting. Property owners in the 5th Ward along 7th Street NW where the city plans to do a major reconstruction of the street later in 2005 will be the first to benefit from this new policy.