HomeMy WebLinkAboutGabriel & Ruth Lee Hernandez - 1068 W 7th S Deborah Lovejoy
From: RuthLee Hernandez <ruthhernandez2001 @yahoo.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2026 3:18 PM
To: Deborah Lovejoy
Cc: RuthLee Hernandez
Subject: Opposition to Creation of Local Improvement District Number 55
To: Rexburg City Council
From: Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Hernandez
Subject: Opposition to Creation of Local Improvement District Number 55
Date: February 14, 2026
To the Rexburg City Council,
We are writing to express our strong opposition to the proposed creation of the Local Improvement District
Number 55 (LID) that is currently under consideration. As a concerned resident, and household whose property
stands to be forced to make these improvements, we felt it crucial that we make our voices heard. While we
understand the importance of responsible urban planning, we are deeply concerned regarding the financial
impact and manner in which we were informed on the creation of the LID.
Our primary concerns are as follows:
1. Cost. The cost to us is $21,936.37. Cost of living expenses have increased significantly while income not so
much. An assessment of this magnitude puts stress on a budget already pushed to its limit. Even if payment is
not required in full, the increased monthly expense of approximately $299.14 over a 10 year period gives little
comfort, moreover the $21,936.37, will not be the total amount paid as this will also include interest.
2. Age and Limitations. My husband and I are reaching our retirement years. Gabriel is 68 1/2 years old and
has already retired and is receiving Social Security. I am 64 1/2 years old, and had been looking forward to
retirement. It may be that I won't be able to retire and Gabriel may have to return back to work. We are
concerned that the extra stress of this cost would have a detrimental impact on our health. Gabriel received a
quadruple bypass heart surgery 4 years ago. He has already been limited in his abilities, and we are concerned
the stress of paying off the assessment, by returning to work, could be deleterious to his health. As we enter our
twilight years many other health concerns could arise that would impact our ability to pay off the assessment.
3. Notice. For many of us the most recent January letter was the first time in which our households were
notified of the possible creation of the LID. One of the other neighbors in the LID raised this concern with a city
employee and was told"it was on the website," as if the employee expected that it was the normal course of
business for residents of Rexburg to continually monitor city websites for the off chance that their property may
be included in a LID. While the city may have met their obligation by putting the information on the website,
we feel that is woefully insufficient given the gravity of the financial obligation that we will incur.
4. Passing the Buck. When we were annexed into the city our county road served only the 8 homes assessed in
the LID and a few buildings of the Meadow apartment complex. We warned that changes to the road would be
necessary to handle the increase in traffic. That was nearly 15 -20 years ago. The road now has become the only
entrance and exit for over 160 households. At one point we were told that the problem was inherited from the
county by the City. The current problem that we are now facing is one of the City's own creation. Building
permits were approved as the Meadows expanded with full knowledge of the limited access road and increased
traffic that would destroy the road and would require the road to be completely rebuilt. Without these actions,
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none of the improvements from the LID would be required. The city should bear the cost to make the
improvements, not the homeowners.
5. Alternative Solutions. Postpone the LID, or make a reduction of the final cost. Look for potential money
with the possibility of Grants.
In light of the above concerns, we kindly request that the City reconsider the creation of this LID or at least
exclude the properties along 7th South between US 20 and 12th West. Thank you for taking time to review our
concerns. We hope that the City will carefully consider the potential impact on our families and choose a course
of action to remediate our concerns.
Sincerely,
Gabriel and RuthLee Hernandez
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