Opinion ID: 2763977
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Fee Basis

Text: The city’s notice of its intent to assess the fee must disclose the “amount and basis for the costs.” M.C.O. § 227.100(d). The 2011 Notice of Intent to Assess specified: “VACANT BUILDING REGISTRATION FEE Total cost is: $6,550.00” and the 2012 Notice declared: “VACANT BUILDING REGISTRATION . . . Total cost is: $6,746.00.” DRB argues these notices do not adequately disclose the basis of the fees because they do not provide a “foundation, development, calculation, or explanation” of the fees, but the ordinance does not require a detailed calculation or explanation. The district court correctly reasoned, “The term ‘basis for the costs’ is most reasonably interpreted in this situation to mean a description of what the costs are for, not a thorough calculation of or justification for the [fee].” Notice of a special assessment is required to give the individual being assessed “an opportunity to question the validity of the amount of the assessment.” Meadowbrook Manor, Inc. v. City of St. Louis Park, 104 N.W.2d 540, 543 (Minn. 1960). The phrase “vacant building registration” was sufficient to give DRB notice of the basis for the fee so DRB could determine the fee’s validity and challenge the application of the fee at an administrative hearing.