Opinion ID: 901966
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Whether the Circuit Court Gave Proper Deference to the City's Decision

Text: [¶ 17.] The City claims that the circuit court erred by not giving proper deference to the City's decision to impose special assessments and, in effect, substituted the court's judgment for the City's. The City argues that the decision to assess the adjacent properties was a legislative decision and that a court should not interfere with its actions unless the action is palpably arbitrary, unreasonable or beyond [its] authority. See Sanderson v. City of Mobridge, 317 N.W.2d 828, 829 (S.D.1982). But if a city's action violates constitutional principles, the action is by its very nature arbitrary, unreasonable, and beyond its authority. The constitutionality of a city's act in specially assessing property requires the assessment be measured or limited by the special benefits accruing to [the property]. Norwood, 172 U.S. at 294, 19 S.Ct. at 196. Any assessment in excess of the special benefit received is constitutionally impermissible and, consequently, arbitrary, unreasonable and beyond its authority. See id. at 288, 19 S.Ct. at 194 (referring to principle generally recognized by courts). A careful review of the circuit court's analysis indicates that it was aware of this principle. The circuit court noted in its decision that the City's findings as to benefits are correct and the presumption may be overcome only by strong, direct, clear and positive proof.