§ 9-55-18 — Purpose of taxation or assessment by municipality--Limitations on taxation and assessment--Method of taxation or assessment.

A municipality may levy a general business occupation tax, or a special assessment against the real property located in a district to the extent of the special benefit to such property, for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of maintenance, repair and reconstruction, including utility costs, of any improvement or facility in the district. Districts created for taxation or assessment of maintenance, repair and reconstruction costs, including utility costs, of improvements or facilities which are authorized by this chapter but which were not acquired or constructed pursuant to this chapter, may be taxed or assessed as provided in this chapter. Any occupation tax levied under this chapter shall be limited to those improvements and facilities authorized by this chapter. The governing body may levy such occupation taxes or special assessments under either of the following methods: (1) The governing body may not more frequently than annually, determine the costs of maintenance, repair and reconstruction of a facility. Such costs shall be either assessed to the real property located in such district in accordance with the proposed method of assessment, or taxed against the businesses and users of space in the district, whichever may be applicable as determined by the resolution creating the district. However, if the governing body finds that the method of assessment proposed in the resolution creating the district does not provide a fair and equitable method of apportioning such costs, then it may assess the costs under such method as the governing body finds to be fair and equitable. At the hearing on such taxes or assessments, objections may be made to the total cost and the proposed allocation of such costs among the parcels of real property or businesses in such district; or (2) After notice is given to the owners or businesses as provided in this chapter, the governing body may establish and may from time to time change the percentage of such costs for maintenance, repair and reconstruction which each parcel of real property or each business or user of space in any district shall pay. The governing body shall annually determine the total amount of such costs for each period since costs were last taxed or assessed, and shall, after a hearing, tax or assess such costs to the real property in the district in accordance with the percentages previously established at such hearing. Notice of such hearing shall be given as provided in § 9-55-13 and shall state the total costs and percentage to be taxed or assessed to each parcel of real property. Unless objections are filed with the finance officer at least five days before such hearing, all objections to the amount of total costs and the assessments shall be levied as stated in such notice. However, the governing body may reduce any assessment percentage.

Legislative History

SL 1986, ch 81, § 18.