DAPHNE, Ala.—The Daphne City Council held a public hearing Monday at its regular business meeting to discuss sewer system improvements along Alabama Highway 181 and U.S. Highway 90.

Melinda Immel, representing Volkert and Associates, said the proposed sewer route would start behind Lowe’s Home Improvement on Alabama Highway 181 and run west along U.S. Highway 90.

The total cost per acre for sewer improvements is $3,404; property owners along this route are asked to cover the cost, with the option of paying the total all at once or over a 10-year period.

Trent Hall, of Trent Hall Properties, owner of Malbis Suzuki, said he doesn’t know how he can afford to pay this assessment that he said came as a surprise.

“When I purchased the property, I paid a ‘developed’ price,” Hall said.

Not everyone took issue with the assessment; some shared their admiration for the developers’ meeting proposed cost estimates.

Terry Ogeltree, representing Renaissance L.L.C., said the city told property owners at an April 2007 public hearing that the estimated cost per acre would be $3,300.

“The fact that they came in at $3,400 means they should be commended,” Ogeltree said.