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percent type of landslide. Third, during the LID formation process, it is necessary to <br />inform the project proponents that they will need to counter the perception of lack of <br />support by testifying themselves. <br />Before holding a public hearing, it is a good idea to prepare pre -numbered exhibits. There <br />should be extra copies for the city council or hearings examiner, courtreporter, all the city <br />legal representatives and project opponents when appropriate. Also, prepare a list of the <br />exhibits ahead of time. Organizing exhibits during a formal hearing can be extremely <br />disruptive to the flow of the hearing. <br />Set time limits of presentations at hearings. Check with your legal counsel or bond <br />counsel to determine if special language needsto be put into the notice. Getconcurrence <br />from your city council well in advance of the hearing. <br />■ Hold a press workshop or individual meetings with appropriate reporters before the <br />hearings. Reporters cannot be expected to understand the project simply by attending <br />public hearings. Do a press release. Be as helpful as possible in providing the story that <br />"should be printed". Give reporters enough background so that they can sort out the truth <br />in the testimony that they will hear at the hearing. And, if there is a positive human - <br />interest story — tell the reporter. <br />E The cost of the project will likely be at issue. It is not uncommon to hear circulating <br />rumors, statements and testimony at meetings and hearings suggesting that there is <br />factual evidence that the improvement could have been built at half the cost. This can be <br />a very com pelling argument to other property owners, to the city council, orto the media. <br />The project will be well served if staff clearly — and often — conveys that an LI D is not a <br />method to build streets, sewers, water and other capital improvements. It is one of <br />several methods to finance those improvements. <br />0 Do not allow owners and/or developers to go unchallenged when they incorrectly <br />compare the costs to build capital improvements with legal and financial costs, <br />and the design, acquisition of rights-of-way, and building casts. If there is a single <br />issue that is more important than any other issue involving LID financing it is that <br />Ll Ds are financing and legal tools, not engineering tools. <br />Contributors: Gary Bourne, Rod Kaseguma, and John Carpita <br />Local and Road Improvement Districts Manual far Washington State Sixth Edition 39 <br />