The SID is expected to be an $18 million venture, with Salt Lake City and the county kicking in a combined $7 million. The other $11 million will be paid for with a bond, to be paid back over the next 10 years by residents.

Baird said that means an average of about $1,700 for each household, based on assessments considering both property value and the number of lots owned. The SID will be going before the Board of Equalization in January, which will consider adjustments to make the assessments more fair.

Baird said the board will primarily be considering appeals from owners of properties like condominium complexes who want credit for infrastructure improvements they have already had to pay for.

The council, in voting to approve the SID, also created a special fund to help certain low-income people who can't pay their assessments. About 50 people in the area who currently receive hardship tax relief have already been sent applications for the assessment reduction, but anyone else can ask for an application, too.

The notices being received now by residents are not bills, Baird stressed. And when payment comes due, residents can either choose to pay the entire assessment up front, or pay annual installments — the first one won't be due until August — with interest.

The interest rate will not be determined until the county has received all the up-front payments. Those will determine how much of the bond is left to be paid, which will determine the interest rate carried by the bond.

More information, including a detailed map showing the boundaries of the SID area, can be found at millcreekfireflow.com.

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E-mail: dsmeath@desnews.com