In accordance with Article 1105b, V.A.T.S., the city council of the City of DeSoto, Texas, hereby adopts a Comprehensive Assessment Policy to be used as the assessment procedure for the construction and/or improvement of streets, alleys, water and sewer systems within the City of DeSoto, a copy of said assessment policy being included as Section
1.502.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Article 1.500,
Section 1.501)
In the event the city council determines that improvements,
extensions and/or new construction are necessary and an assessment
program is appropriate they may initiate action on their own motion
to begin the program, or if a majority of the property owners owning
a majority of the front footage adjacent to their properties request
improvements through an assessment program the city may initiate the
following procedure:
(1) The
city council will authorize, by minute order or resolution, the preparation
of plans and specifications, advertising for bids and preparation
of engineer's estimates.
(2) City
engineer will prepare plans and specifications and notify the city
secretary to advertise for bids.
(3) Advertisement
for bids must be published three (3) times in an official newspaper
of the city, the first publication to be at least fifteen (15) days
before opening of bids, not including day of opening and publication.
(4) Bids
will be received, publicly opened and tabulated. Engineering department
will prepare a tentative assessment roll based upon the low bids.
Tabulation of bids and proposed assessment roll will be placed on
the city council agenda.
(5) After
review of bids and costs involved, if the city council determines
that the project is feasible, they will accept the lowest and best
bid but will withhold award of contract until after public hearing.
At the same meeting the council will adopt an ordinance declaring
the necessity for the improvements, accepting the bid and assessment
roll subject to acceptance of the project, and calling public hearing.
(6) The
city secretary will prepare notice of public hearing.
(7) City
secretary will prepare the necessary documents for presentation at
the public hearing.
(8) Public
hearing is held and all legal documents are introduced for recording
in the minutes, and all testimony from property owners for or against
the assessment and improvements is recorded in the minutes.
(9) The
city secretary will send copy of ordinance ordering assessment and
an assessment roll to the tax department in order that the assessment
amount can be placed on record and statements ready for mailing as
soon as project is accepted as complete.
(10) City
engineer will notify low bidder of acceptance of his bid, and prepare
six (6) copies of a contract for the improvements, one (1) copy for
his files, one (l) copy for the city secretary files, and four (4)
copies for the contractor.
(11) When
the project is completed the public works department will notify the
city secretary who will prepare an ordinance accepting the improvements
and place on the city council agenda.
(12) City
council will adopt ordinance accepting the improvements.
(13) City
secretary will give the tax department a copy of the ordinance accepting
the improvements. The tax department will mail out statements for
first payment, one-fifth (l/5) of amount of assessment, which is due
and payable thirty (30) days after acceptance of improvements. The
remainder of the assessment will be due and payable in four (4) annual,
equal installments plus interest, with statements being mailed by
the tax department.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Article 1.500,
Section 1.502)