Court Opinion

ID: 9864401
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 12:59:52.114567+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:11:47.751422
License: Public Domain

OPINION ON REHEARING. Hart, C. J. Counsel for appellee insist that the original opinion is in conflict with Kirst v. Street Improvement District No. 1, 86 Ark. 1, 109 S. W. 526, but we do not think so. On the contrary, we think it is in conformity with the principles of law there decided, as well as those in Turner v. Adams. 178 Ark. 67, 10 S. W. (2d) 41, cited in our original opinion. ■ The record shows that the property owners sought to attack the assessment before the city council on the ground that it was arbitrary and made for the purpose of making the assessment of benefits exceed the cost of the improvement without any regard being had to the actual benefits received by the property. The assessment as a whole was attacked on the ground that each piece of property in the district was assessed at a sum greatly in excess of any actual benefit it might receive, and testimony was offered which tended to establish the fact that the assessment of benefits was made in an arbitrary manner without any relation to the benefits received. Evidence to that effect was offered. If this cannot be done, there is no use in holding that the individual owner shall never be required to pay a greater sum than the actual value of the benefits received. Assessments for street improvements can only be upheld on the ground that the property assessed is enhanced in value to an amount equal to the sum assessed against it. An allegation that the assessment on the property is substantially in excess of the benefits received raises a constitutional question; and, if the allegation is true, then the assessment is contrary to the Constitution. On a direct attack, this is a question of fact, and we pointed out in our original- opinion that the proof offered showed that the assessment made upon each piece of property was shown to be greatly in excess of any special benefit it might receive. The common council of the city had jurisdiction to pass upon the validity of this assessment; and, if the proof showed that it was arbitrary within the meaning above indicated, the council should have refused to confirm the assessment and have set it aside. This would have left it within the power of the assesso-rs to have made a newT assessment conformable to law, which would be subject to attack in the manner provided by statute as in the case of the first assessment. If the council fails to give the landowners the relief to 'which the proof shows they are entitled, they have the right to bring a suit in the chancery court within thirty days to accomplish that result. Therefore, the motion for a rehearing and to modify the opinion will be overruled.