The city of Jefferson now has a new financial assistance program to help remove trees from private property.

City Administrator Scott Peterson says this program is intended for lower income owner-occupied homes that can borrow up to $5,000 on a first-come, first-served basis. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the person that submits an application must also have a cost estimate from a contractor and once it is approved, the property owner has one year to get the tree or trees removed. He points out that there is a total amount of $50,00 that was allocated for this program.

“This comes from what the city had as emergency funds. And really be a good use of those emergency funds that over the course of the years we would’ve collected an emergency property tax levy. And these funds would’ve been acquired over the years. So we’ll be using those funds again for this loan program and just an opportunity to help our residents.”     

Peterson says once the tree(s) is removed, the city pays the contractor directly and then the property owner would pay the amount back, with interest with the rate set by the percentage of the federal government rate at that time, within five years and for no less than $50 per month payment. He believes this was something that needed to happen in order to help property owners that needed the nudge to act on getting dead or dying trees cut down.

“So this was something that was really needed, I think, in order to keep proceeding along. And of course these dead trees they are going to continue to be there until they are taken care of. Just again, a reminder to everybody that their private responsibility to have the trees removed on their own private property.” 

Peterson adds anyone who wishes to learn more or for an application can call City Hall at 515-386-3111 and talk with Building Official Chad Stevens, who is spearheading the program.