If a residential property owner is thinking about doing an outdoor project, the city of Jefferson offers two reimbursement programs.

Building Official Chad Stevens says there is a sidewalk reimbursement program for property owners that are going to completely replace their sidewalk. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the city will reimburse a property owner up to $5 per square foot of concrete for a new five foot wide sidewalk, which would make it an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint. 

“You can choose your own contractor, bring an estimate into City Hall, we’ll kind of review it with you, and then you would get that work done, upon approval from the city. And then just submit some paid invoice and then you would get reimbursed.”    

Stevens notes that this program allows for two years of financing if the project cost is a hardship for someone. 

Stevens explains the other one the city provides is the Neighborhood Improvement Incentive, where homeowners can receive up to $4,000 with a 50/50 match to do exterior home projects. He clarifies an important detail of this program.

“So it has to be something that is in poor condition. And this is just for owner-occupied properties, it is not for rentals.”

Stevens says this is a dramatically under-utilized program the city has. He adds that both programs have applications available and the individual would also review the project with him before it is approved.