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1. When do I pay my assessment?

For Street Projects, the City holds an assessment hearing, usually in September or October. After the assessment amount is approved by the City Council, you have 30 days to pay the assessment to the City without any interest charged. After the 30 days, the City sends the assessments to Dakota County, and it will appear on your property taxes with interest over the number of years set by the City Council.

2. Is there a Senior Citizen discount on assessments?

There is not a Senior Citizen discount on your assessment.

3. How do I find levied assessment information?

Dakota County handles levied assessments for the City of South St. Paul. Dakota County has a way to view tax information on the property. On the GIS website, click "Quick Search" and enter your property address. Typically a drop down menu appears, click on the address that references Tax Parcels. On the information that pops up, there is a link to "Tax Facts". Click on Tax Facts and review the 2 to 3 page document. For Special Assessments, look at the last page of the Tax Facts to find any levied assessments, what the assessment is for, and pay-off amounts.

4. What is the assessment policy?

The City Council has approved this assessment policy: South St. Paul Assessment Policy

5. What is the Senior Citizen Deferral?

Under Minnesota Statutes, Section 435.193 to 435.195, the South St. Paul City Council may, in its discretion, defer the payment of these special assessments for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older for whom it would be hardship to make the payments. When deferment of the special assessments has been granted and is terminated for any reason provided by law, all amounts accumulated, plus applicable interest, become due. Any assessed property owner meeting the requirements of this law and Ordinance No. 746, adopted under it, may apply to the City Clerk on the prescribed form for such deferral of payments of these special assessments. If you qualify and wish a deferment, then contact the City Clerk at (651)554-3204.

6. What is a Proposed Public Improvement Hearing?

A public improvement hearing is a consideration by the City Council of a street or alley construction or rebuilding, the installation of utility (water and/or sewer) lines or similar work which will be specially assessed against certain properties.

7. Improvement Hearings - how do they occur?

A Public Improvement hearing is held for one of two reasons: 1. a petition by 35% or more of the owners abutting the area to be improved, or 2. the Council may, by its own initiative, call for a hearing on a proposed improvement.

8. Why have Public Improvement Hearings, especially when the Council initiates the proposal?

Aside from legal requirements, hearings are held for the purpose of encouraging citizen participation. It is true that the Council is responsible for ordering or abandoning a proposed improvement, but they do so only after they have heard the arguments by the affected residents.

9. Improvement Hearings - how many votes are required to order an improvement?

An improvement petitioned by the citizens requires a simple majority (four (4) yes votes).
A council initiated proposed improvement requires six (6) yes votes.