Furious Nebraska homeowners have been left bewildered after being hit with bills up to $1,700 to repair public sidewalks that they didn’t damage or are located directly in front of their homes.
Residents in an Omaha neighborhood were tasked to repair walkways that are behind their properties, as well as panels that lead to the “sidewalk to nowhere,” WOWT-TV reported.
In Omaha, property owners must repair unsafe sidewalks, as per the city’s municipal code, and can do the work themselves or hire a contractor, but homeowners have pointed out they are not responsible for other maintenance tasks such as mowing grassy areas or snow removal.
“We’re not responsible for snow removal and mowing so why are we responsible for sidewalk maintenance because the sidewalk is beyond the area the Homeowner’s Association mows,” resident Stephanie Bolli said.
Residents have been quoted extortionate prices too, further enraging them.
Grant Kitchen was billed $1,687.56 to get the hazardous panels replaced.
He was hit with the bill – even though some of the panels at the end of the sidewalk were not really walked on, and led to shrubbery.
“We’re fixing something first off we didn’t break, and second off is not usable by anyone who wants to use it,” he said.
This was echoed by Jim Frick, also billed $800, who said, “This is definitely unfairness.”
Meanwhile, Diane Briggs, a Hillsborough Association of Landowners spokesperson, told WOWT “no determination” regarding costs has been made.
HOA officials are reviewing the situation promptly, she said.
Sidewalk disputes have been a long-standing source of contention between Omaha residents and city officials.
Last year, Dean Wilson was billed $700 to repair damages to sidewalk panels located around the corner from his home, WOWT reported.
He disputed the quote, claiming it wasn’t his responsibility to fix them.
“It’s outside the white fence that’s a perimeter for the entire neighborhood, so it doesn’t make sense that this sidewalk is my responsibility,” he said.
Wilson’s homeowner association agreed to cover the costs on his behalf.
