Exclusive of the cost of such improvement to be paid by railroads and street railroads, as herein provided, the city, acting by the City Council, shall have the power to assess the whole cost of constructing and reconstructing sidewalks and curbs and other improvements against the owners of property abutting on the highway or highways, or sections thereof, to be improved, who are especially benefited thereby. But no part of such cost shall be assessed against any owner of his property in excess of the special benefits thereto in enhanced value thereof arising from the improvement, nor until after the notice and hearing hereinafter provided for. The proportion of the cost assessed against any property, or its owner, shall be in such proportion as the frontage of property of each owner is to the whole frontage of property to be improved, and shall be in accordance with the front foot rule or plan, unless, in the opinion of the City Council, such rule would operate unjustly in particular cases, in which event the City Council shall adopt such rule of apportionment as will effect substantial equality and justice between property owners, having in view benefits received and burdens imposed on such owner. The cost of paving street intersections and public alleys shall be borne by the city.
When the payment of any part of the cost of improvement assessed against any property owners is deferred, the City Council shall have power to provide that such payments shall bear interest at not to exceed eight (8) per cent per annum, and shall have power to include in any assessment against such owners, or their property, cost of collection and a reasonable attorney’s fees, when such costs and fees are incurred.