Adopt Resolution #21-257 Declaring Costs to be Assessed and Calling for a Public Hearing on Proposed Assessment for Past-Due Charges on Municipal Utility Bills (which may include water, sewer, street lighting, recycling, storm water charges and penalties incurred) and Current Services Rendered.

 

Annually, the city certifies to the following year's property tax, any accounts receivable (either utility or invoiced) that are more than sixty days delinquent as of September 1 and not paid by November of that same year. The number of accounts that will be receiving a delinquent notice with possible certification to property taxes remained fairly constant in 2021 compared to 2020 (972 accounts vs 982 accounts in 2020) .  The proposed amount to be certified for 2021 is $331,226.91 ($343,386.18 in 2020).  The decrease could be attibuted to the waiving of late fees for three quarters in 2020 and the first quarter in 2021. Municipal utility bills stay with a property when it is sold and do not follow the homeowner like gas and electric bills do.

Utility bills are sent quarterly to all residents and commercial businesses within the city. If an account is more than 30 days past due, a follow up collection notice stating delinquency is sent. In September, the city follows up with a letter to respective delinquent properties (more than 60 days past due on September 1) outlining the process to cure the delinquent account and to avoid certification to the following years property tax. This letter was sent on September 3.

Staff recommends calling for the public hearing on September 28, 2021.

Motion to Adopt Resolution #21-257 Declaring Costs to be Assessed and Calling for a Public Hearing on Proposed Assessment for Past-Due Charges on Municipal Utility Bills (which may include water, sewer, street lighting, recycling, storm water charges and penalties incurred) and Current Services Rendered