When property owners decide they want to form an LID, they agree to assume responsibility to pay for the project. The City works with property owners to determine the scope of the project and develops an assessment methodology. A variety of methods are used, including square footage, linear footage or equivalent dwelling unit. Sometimes a combination of these methods is used, but square footage is most commonly used for projects in residential areas.

 

The City will design and engineer the project as well as manage it to make sure the work is done properly. But in most cases the City does not actually build the improvement. Generally the work is bid upon by the private sector, and the lowest responsible bid is selected. However, small projects (generally one block) may be constructed by the Maintenance Bureau in some cases. The City never charges property owners more than the cost of building the project, even if the initial estimate at the beginning of the project was higher. Once the project is complete and final assessment is made, the LID ceases to exist. The City Auditor's Office then handles property owners' payments until paid in full.