Politics
Kensington Council Passes Infrastructure Levy at July Meeting, With Resident Fees Starting October
Kensington property owners will begin paying an additional monthly infrastructure fee of $12 starting in October under the new levy passed by city council.
How we reported this
The Kensington City Council approved the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy on July 7 during its regular session, directing $4.2 million in new revenue toward street and bridge repairs across the city. The measure passed by a 6-3 vote and applies to all residential and commercial properties within Kensington boundaries. Payments will appear on utility statements issued after October 1, 2026.
Reasons for the Levy and Current Conditions
City records show that 28 percent of Kensington roads received a poor-condition rating in the 2025 annual pavement assessment conducted by the Department of Public Works. The levy addresses a projected $1.8 million shortfall in the existing road fund for fiscal year 2027. Council documents state the fee structure scales with property size, beginning at the flat $12 rate for single-family homes under 2,000 square feet.
Residents in the Kensington Heights and Riverside neighborhoods will see the first deductions coincide with the October billing cycle for water and sewer services. Local advocates note that commercial properties along Kensington Avenue will face higher assessments based on square footage, with collections routed directly to the capital projects account.
Implementation Timeline and Expected Effects
Work orders for the first projects, including resurfacing on Main Street between 4th and 8th avenues, are scheduled for January 2027 according to the Department of Public Works schedule. Full rollout of the levy collections is projected to continue through December 2028, with annual reviews scheduled each spring. The government says the policy will generate recurring revenue without altering existing property tax rates.
Budget papers released after the meeting list specific allocations, including $1.5 million for bridge inspections and $900,000 for sidewalk replacements in school zones. No changes to service delivery are listed for the remainder of 2026, though the council will hold a public hearing on project priorities in September.