Home and land owners in Horace voice their concerns over city’s special assessments

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR) — The room was jammed packed, as many home and landowners in Horace shared their confusion and distress over the city’s special assessments.

“You could tell me that the law allows you to assess me, but I should be assessed maybe $100. Not what I’m assessed here. That’s my main point, no benefit to me.”

Prior to the meeting starting, the chairman told the crowd that they know they are upset. But they want to make sure that the people are able to present solutions along with their concerns.

“There are decisions about whether or not the city should step up and pay more, that’s not our project. That has nothing to do with what’s going to happen here tonight. That’s not at our table, that’s not our job, we don’t even know that information. We are simply given the project total and what is given to us, and we divide it as fairly as we deem possible,” said Brad Maczkowicz, Special Assessment Committee Chairman.

During the meeting, many homeowners on the west and east side of the proposed ‘Wall Avenue’, shared how they would be paying greater amounts than the opposing side and believed the amount should be divided equally. Others shared their confusion on why they had to pay extra for a road they would not use.

“I think it’s very valid to just say, there are some people that are being assessed that get zero benefit. So if you drive that road, if you drive it on a daily basis, a weekly basis, on a monthly basis, that should be more of your load than anybody that doesn’t drive it.”

The Chairman shared his condolences as he, too is a part of one neighborhood that is a distance away from the street. Tomorrow night will be the second planned meeting, starting at 5:30.