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Revised — November 10, 2011 <br />Ramsey Long -Term Road Maintenance and Reconstruction Program <br />Frequently Asked Questions <br />Why does Ramsey need a long -term road maintenance and reconstruction program? <br />Nearly half of Ramsey's 178 miles of roads were constructed during the city's population boom in the 1970s- <br />1980s. Even with routine maintenance by Ramsey Public Works, the maximum life of these roads is 40 years. <br />That means that between now and 2025, about $90 million or more in road reconstruction will be necessary to <br />repair or replace city streets. Currently, no budget exists for funding this wave of reconstruction, which will largely <br />be the responsibility of local taxpayers. <br />What will occur if we do not develop a long -term road maintenance program? <br />While the city's existing maintenance program is stretching the life of local roads, no roads can be built to last <br />indefinitely. Without action, Ramsey's roads will be prone to more potholes, cracks and crumbling pavement – <br />creating serious safety risks for pedestrians and motorists. Poor roads may affect property values and may hinder <br />Ramsey's ability to attract new residents, businesses and jobs. Ultimately, reconstruction will be necessary and <br />the city will need to utilize its current assessment program, which assesses the total cost of projects to property <br />owners in the affected areas. This would place a significant short -term burden on property owners — a <br />challenging option in the current economy. <br />What are the city's goals for a long -term maintenance and reconstruction program? <br />The city's goals are to: <br />• Ensure safety for pedestrians and drivers <br />• Reduce project delays and avoid higher costs to taxpayers <br />• Spread out the cost of road maintenance and reconstruction, and keep assessments low <br />• Maintain high - quality roads that will continue to attract new residents, businesses and jobs <br />How will a long -term approach benefit me? <br />Maintaining /rebuilding city streets is critical for ensuring safety and accessibility for residents, businesses and <br />organizations in Ramsey. Crumbling roads can be dangerous for pedestrians and drivers. Businesses, schools <br />and other organizations need roads that sufficiently handle customer and visitor demands. Well- maintained <br />streets also keep our neighborhoods and business districts attractive, which helps protect property values and <br />attract new residents, businesses and jobs. A long -term program also will help spread out the cost of street <br />maintenance. <br />Where will the funding for a long -term program come from? <br />The level of work required to repair and reconstruct city streets is beyond the routine maintenance provided for in <br />the city's budget. As a result, the additional cost of reconstruction will largely be the responsibility of city <br />taxpayers. The city is considering the following three options to cover project costs: <br />1. Do Nothing: Use the city's current assessment policy of charging affected property owners — based on <br />the lineal footage of their property — for the total project cost. <br />2. Citywide Property Tax Increase: Proportionally charge all city taxpayers based on their property values <br />for the total cost of the long -term street maintenance and reconstruction program. <br />3. Citywide Franchise Fee: All utility customers pay an equal fee that covers the total cost of the program. <br />How would Option 1 (the current assessment policy) work? <br />An assessment would be charged to affected property owners based on the lineal footage of their property. For <br />example, a quarter -acre lot may be assessed a total of $9,000 or about $75 /month for 10 years. The assessment <br />for a two -acre lot could total $27,000 or about $225 /month for 10 years. This option places a significant but short - <br />term burden on affected property owners. <br />Page 1 of 2 <br />