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1. What are special assessments?

A special assessment is a charge imposed on a property for a specific improvement that benefits the property owner (such as a street improvement). It is used to partially finance a specific public improvement.   

2. What are my payment options for special assessments?

PAYMENT OPTIONS - Payable to the "City of Oakdale"

• Pay entire amount with no interest added by October 15
• Pay entire amount with interest accrued by November 15
• Pay partial amounts, minimum of $500
• Allow assessments to be spread over term noted above and collected with property taxes (This option requires no action by property owner.)
• May pay any remaining balance at any time

PAYMENT TYPE OPTIONS 

• Cash or check, bring to City Hall's Finance Department, or mail payment
• Credit card (2.35% processing fee applies) - call 651-730-2713

3. How is my assessment amount determined?

According to the Minnesota State Statues, the assessment amount cannot exceed the benefit to the property. Court cases have defined the benefit to be the increase in property value resulting from the improvements. The City hires an independent appraiser to determine the benefit amounts to your property.

4. What is an assessment hearing?

The assessment hearing is an important meeting where the city council reviews the assessment roll. The assessment roll is the list of properties along with their respective assessment amounts. If the city council agrees with the list of properties and the amounts, they adopt the assessment roll and certify the list to Washington County for collection.

5. Is there a way to defer my assessment due to hardship?

Yes, you would need to fill out an application and submit it to the Finance Director. The deferment only applies to the owner(s) who applied for the deferment. Once the property is sold the assessment then needs to be paid. A review of the hardship will be conducted every three to five years and may need to be reversed depending on the outcome of the review.