Sidewalk Repair Ordinance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Sidewalk Repair Ordinance - Essay Example The quality of the sidewalks reflects on the quality of life for all the citizens of the city as well as the visitors who come here. It is only reasonable to have the burden of the repair costs shouldered by the city. The sidewalk is not the property of the owner of the adjacent property. The tactics of the Department of Public Works have been abusive, as they have threatened property owners with fines and unreasonable deadlines. The city should find taxpayer money to finance the repairs and leave the property owners alone. The estimated cost of repairing the nearly 5,200 blocks of city sidewalk has been quoted as $1.5 million. This is a reasonable amount and the city would benefit from this improvement. However, the cost of enforcing the ordinance has been put at $1.3 million. Instead of spending the money on enforcement, the city should spend the money to do the needed repairs. It does not make sense to spend $1.3 million to enforce a law that will only save the city $1.5 million. Financially, this is a break-even proposition. However, it will cause hardship to those citizens that are required to pay for the repairs. It will leave bitterness and resentment in its wake as property owners get slapped with a bill for a public works project. I am proud of our fine city and am fully in support of the efforts to renovate and repair