By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

The Savage City Council unanimously approved two assessment appeals on Aug. 4.

The appeals were filed by three residents regarding special assessments for the first phase of improvements surrounding the south Savage utility project.

All parties agreed to resolve their dispute with agreements that allow them a deferral on their original assessments, with interest.

The agreement with Jeffrey Exe and Julie O’Connell, 6947 W. 154th St., allows for a three-year deferral, with interest accruing at a rate of 6.25 percent for the period of the deferral. They will have to pay the 2008 assessment and the deferral covers 2009, 2010 and 2011. Once the deferral period is over, then they will have the full 15-year period to pay off the assessment.

The agreement with Mary Hegre, 15751 Hampshire Ave., is slightly different because she had already paid the first half of her assessment for 2008. So she will get a rebate of the amount she has already paid and her second half payment will be abated.

Her three-year deferral is retroactive to Jan. 1 and the next two years of her assessment will be deferred. Her deferral period is 2008 to 2010 and interest during that time will accrue at a rate of 6.25 percent. Once the deferral period is over, she will have the full 15-year period to pay off the assessment.

City Administrator Barry Stock said the property owners will still pay what they were originally assessed.