§ 40-2. Special assessments for improvements authorized.

(a)

To be levied and collected as special tax. The assessments made for constructing and repairing sidewalks and sidewalk curbing, and for sewers, and for grading, paving, excavating, macadamizing, curbing and guttering of any street, avenue, alley, square, or other highway, or part thereof, and repairing the same, or for any other improvement authorized by RSMo 88.667 to 88.773 and 88.811 to 88.861, shall be known as "special assessments for improvements," and shall be levied and collected as a special tax, and a special tax bill shall issue therefor and be paid in the manner provided by ordinance.

(b)

Plans to be prepared and offered for public inspection. The board of aldermen shall cause plans and specifications for all projects, together with an estimate of the total cost for the projects, including construction, construction contingency and fees and other expenses, and an estimate of the portion of the total cost to be assessed against each property to be benefitted by the project, to be prepared by the designated city official or other proper officer, and filed with the clerk, subject to the inspection of the public, and shall cause notice thereof to be published in some newspaper printed in the county for two consecutive insertions in a weekly paper, and for seven consecutive insertions in a daily paper.

(c)

Public hearing to be held on request of three or more citizens. A public hearing shall be held on the request of three or more citizens. At hearing citizens may express their assent or objection to the project.

(d)

Construction contingency and expenses; interest. Special tax bills may include a reasonable construction contingency and an amount not to exceed 20 percent of the total cost of the improvement to be used for payment of fees and other expenses, and tax bills may bear interest not to exceed the rate on ten-year United States Treasury notes as established at the most recent auction.

(e)

Due date. All tax bills shall become due and payable 60 days after the date of issue thereof, except in the case of tax bills payable in installments.

(f)

Term of lien on property. Every special tax bill shall be a lien against the lot or tract or parcel of land described in said special tax bill for a period of ten years after date of issue, unless sooner paid, except in the case of special tax bills payable in installments, the lien of which shall not expire until one year after the date of maturity of the last installment, and except in any case where it becomes necessary to bring a suit to enforce the lien of any special tax bill, the lien of which shall continue until the expiration of the litigation.

(Code 1991, § 22-109; Ord. No. 1515, 9-15-1997)